The guys are finding me on the break and giving me good looks. Then they caught fire after the Rudy Gay trade, sustained that through the second half of the season and should have won a playoff series for the first time since 2001 before dropping Game 7 at home to Brooklyn. The Cavaliers were either too exhausted or too lazy to make their rotations and it got Biyombo, DeRozan and Lowry easy baskets.
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Now, I don’t mean to throw shade at the “6 God” on his big night, and with a free Drake-themed t-shirt awaiting everyone in attandance, I doubt many fans were complaining.
James, however, rejected his coach’s softer stance.
“Me and him have similar mindsets”, Carroll said. Now 11 of the 15 teams in the East are.
“We got to play better, and we will, but I don’t think we improved tonight”, said James.
The Cavaliers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped, were led by LeBron James’ 24 points but the Cavs star made just 6-of-16 shots from the field. It looks great when it works – as it did to keep the game close – but for the tight first half, and stretches of the second, the Raptors fell back to some disquieting habits.
“For us, the season is about getting better”, Jones continued. “It’s early in the season”. We try to get the crowd up and create exciting moments. We’re not a team that’s chasing mediocrity.
James disagreed with Blatt and said the short roster was not an excuse for the loss.
“We have a heck of a defender in DeMarre Carroll”, DeRozan said. “No coach, no scheme, no nothing can do that”.
Casey gave his players Thursday off to celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving.
Speaking of much ado about nothing, James Johnson is apparently unhappy with his playing time and use. Both the dancers and the players act like each other doesn’t exist. While he’s mentioned once or twice injuries are playing a part in the difference, he’s clearly unhappy with the way the Warriors have been scorching through the league, including beating the Raptors thanks to some dubious calls, while Toronto came through at home against the Cavs.
“It’s got to be from tipoff”.
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Tristan Thompson, who is starting at center in the place of injured Timofey Mozgov, acknowledges that they have not been focused and become more complacent. That’s what I’m here to do.
