2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5: (5) Orlando Magic at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Series Tied 2-2

[SOUL]

Fultz was maybe like the 10th worst thing about tonight behind Cole, FT shooting, turnovers, three point shooting, Franz and Suggs three point shooting, Cole, Isaac and Moe being kinda meh.

I also can't wait until he's off the team, but he's also been 13 of 18 the last three games and contributed to the run in the 4th. It's totally weird if he's the main topic of discussion after this.

[Optimus_Steel]

Damm didn't realize we missed 10 free throws.... killer stuff

Part of the execution stuff we need to work on.

[ChosenSavior]

A lot of my first half and sweater vest notes are still very relevant. But with this 2nd half, we battled hard and did well enough. We’ll get them next time. Yet, there also was a couple big things to point out.

So to me, Suggs costed us the game a little bit, and then as well, we are not using Franz and Paolo early enough in the shot clock nor purposefully enough as point forwards.

Suggs' defense was masterful on Donovan. But the creeping up FT’s eventually gave Donovan a still All Star like 28 points on 23 attempts. He also criss-crossed his assignments and gave Garland too much space on two of this 3’s/jumpers if I remember right. It was still herculean defensive effort, so where Suggs really hurt us more legitimately was in the team offense. He took 2-3 ill advised 3’s in 1st Q alone, but by the end of the game it was 5-14 to Franz’s 11 attempts at scoring. Garland to me, is for guarding his shooting and to keep mind of his passing target when he penetrates.

The other major issue is not recognizing that we have point forwards, not point guards. We are not supposed to have Suggs probing the defense for 10 seconds before handing it off to Paolo or Franz. We get confused on offense in small ways too. Calling for screens but not using them. Calling to space out the floor, but not driving. We need to be more purposeful and give Paolo and Franz the ball with a lot of time on the shot clock.
I still want to the first open shot to be taken, but if it doesn’t come early in the shot clock, then I want it to come with some type of Franz/Paolo set plays involving others like PnRs, Horns, flares and whatnot.

Of course, the 26 3P% (before Paolo’s last 3) is a big culprit. I’ve already said I want trial/series adjustment minutes for Caleb over Gary before I even experiment with Black or Goga minutes. But what really stood out to me, what was the true story of the whole game, was ORL’s 17 Assists to 14 TO’s to CLE’s 23 Assists to 10 TO’s. Paolo (10-13 in 2nd half I believe?) and Franz are your point forwards. Tape session and soft-practice how everyone plays off of them before Friday. I know he faced doubles, but don’t let Franz have only 11 attempts if he’s leading us with a great 6:2 A:TO ratio.

Great stuff here. Agree 100%

[eyriq]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

[The-Stallion70]

Fultz was maybe like the 10th worst thing about tonight behind Cole, FT shooting, turnovers, three point shooting, Franz and Suggs three point shooting, Cole, Isaac and Moe being kinda meh.

I also can't wait until he's off the team, but he's also been 13 of 18 the last three games and contributed to the run in the 4th. It's totally weird if he's the main topic of discussion after this.

Weird or just typical realgm ignorance making us wonder why we waste time on this site?

[eyriq]

Fultz was maybe like the 10th worst thing about tonight behind Cole, FT shooting, turnovers, three point shooting, Franz and Suggs three point shooting, Cole, Isaac and Moe being kinda meh.

I also can't wait until he's off the team, but he's also been 13 of 18 the last three games and contributed to the run in the 4th. It's totally weird if he's the main topic of discussion after this.

He's reached the point of an odor. It may not dominate the environment but it completely ruins the experience.

[ChosenSavior]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

Defensive communication from that lineup was pretty stinky.

[fateis007]

Cole has really been a letdown this entire series. He usually gets lit up on defense, and can't play make as a PG.

But he has been entirely shut down by this Cavs defense and can't score. Considering it's all you're counting on, I really wonder if we made a bad choice extending him.

[ogmagicfan]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

Defensive communication from that lineup was pretty stinky.

exactly this

seems the Cavs have been doing whatever they can to try and negate Isaac's impact to help on possessions and drives this whole series also which doesnt help

[SOUL]

He's reached the point of an odor. It may not dominate the environment but it completely ruins the experience.

I mean, I understand he puts a damper on a lot of lineups. Certainly don't think he's reliable for more than a 4 minute stretch, just saying it devolving into a Fultz bash-fest yet again is tiring to read. He had enough actual bad games where it was warranted lol

[The-Stallion70]

Next game might be our last of the season, I hope not because they deserve a shot at game 7.. but i'm not ready for it to end yet! Even though part of me hates the stress lol

Nah we taking the next 2 then heading to Massachusetts

[Knightro]

I'm assuming that Gary is done for the series and they'll just go to a 9-man rotation with Fultz starting.

[thelead]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

Did you know that even Michael Jordan lost games? The death lineup is not going to work every single night and every single minute.

[eyriq]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

Defensive communication from that lineup was pretty stinky.

So heartbreaking. Scaling up JI has been harder than expected.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Can someone tell me who does Paolo yell at when he makes a good shot? I always wonder. He's always yapping, I'm curious what was said during the game that he's constantly screaming at someone when he makes a good play.

[thelead]

Cole has really been a letdown this entire series. He usually gets lit up on defense, and can't play make as a PG.

But he has been entirely shut down by this Cavs defense and can't score. Considering it's all you're counting on, I really wonder if we made a bad choice extending him.

I would package our 1st rd pick with him to clear up space if we know we can snag 2 high quality FA with that extra space.

[rcklsscognition]

Game 7s are where history is made. Let’s get game 6 put away and get back to Cleveland to make some memories.

Too many problems tonight to pin this on one guy. We have work to do to find a replacement for Harris. I don’t feel comfortable putting AB, Cole, or Fultz in so I’m concerned. Maybe Houston.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I'm assuming that Gary is done for the series and they'll just go to a 9-man rotation with Fultz starting.

I hope not. I rather AB start. If nothing else, it will give him experience. If he's going to be with us next season, why not give him experience now so that the first time he experience it is not next season if we make it in the playoffs?

[SOUL]

I'm still devastated about the death lineup. It turned into the turnstile lineup.

Did you know that even Michael Jordan lost games? The death lineup is not going to work every single night and every single minute.

I mean.. it also just makes for clunky offense. I always thought it's a better prevent lineup, as in we need to stop a team from coming back from 5-7 points behind. People keep talking about isos but when it's Franz and Paolo's bread and butter, and Suggs isn't making any threes, just having 4 big dudes out there means you want to utilize screening and get some downhill stuff going.. maybe a kick out for a corner three but I don't think they're afraid of Wendell threes.

[thelead]

I had Cavs in 6 and still do. Obviously I'm hopeful that we win but we can only do so much with what the FO has given Mosley. I think Mosley made some stupid decisions tonight but I appreciate what he does overall.