Written by Brian McPeek

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A team that prides itself on the fact its whole is allegedly greater than the sum of its parts and that boasts depth as it chief alleged strength is going to be in trouble when 40% of its starting lineup is in street clothes.

 

So it was on Saturday night at ‘The Q’ with Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao in civvies and unable to help their teammates in a 99-85 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

 

Even in better days, with more talented teams, the Pacers almost always brought their ‘A’ game against the Cavaliers. Some of the best individual battles of the last three seasons went down between LeBron James and Danny Granger. They weren't fond of each other (which now clearly qualifies all of us as Danny Granger fans). Well, apparently Granger still carries that chip on his shoulder as it relates to the Cavaliers because he went off for 34 points against this depleted Cavs team.

 

And when Granger wasn’t scoring 10 straight Pacer points or needed a blow it seemed like Mike Dunleavy was tossing pebbles into ponds from beyond the three-point arc all night. Combined, Dunleavy and Granger went 9-17 from beyond the arc as they combined for over half of Indiana’s 99 points (54).

 

For their part the Cavaliers were again sloppy at home. They’re now 1-4 at Quicken Loans Arena, 4-5 on the season, and have dropped their last two ballgames after winning three in a row a week ago on the road. The Cavaliers had less assists as a team than Rajon Rondo has on a slow night and actually nearly had as many turnovers (12) as they had helpers (15).

 

Antawn Jamison led the Cavaliers with 19 points (and he actually hit more free throws than he missed- wahoo!!) while Ramon Sessions chipped in 17 points and 5 assists. Daniel Gibson added 15 points but also had trouble keeping the basketball within arms length all night with his 3 turnovers. JJ Hickson added 12 points and Leon Powe, getting more minutes Saturday than he had the entirety of the season coming into the game, scored 9 points in 21 minutes.

 

Before I get a bit chippy, seriously, just throw this one away folks. A moderately talented team down two of its more moderately talented players playing a decent basketball team that has another hot shooting night and you get what you got Saturday night.

 

But just for kicks and giggles:

 

Takeaways

 

·         I can’t tell you how painful it is to watch Leon Powe play basketball. He still visibly drags his leg up and down the court and it appears that’s how it may always be. I’m thinking of taking up a collection to send that cat to Lourdes for some of that healing water or at least wasting a Christmas wish on Powe being able to run without it actually hurting me to watch.

 

·         I’m wondering if one of the main benefits to this up-tempo (allegedly if not in actuality) Byron Scott offense is that when a guy like Anthony Parker comes down and jacks up two air balls in a possession that there are still 15 seconds left on the shot clock should Ryan Hollins not go over someone’s back when securing an offensive rebound.

 

·         I’m also wondering if Scott explained to the boys that defense was not just the time spent between jacking up shots. It sure seemed that on Saturday night the Pacers had a look at a layup, dunk or wide open three-pointer on damn near every single possession. I know that Scott stresses constant motion and solid screens to optimize the offense he runs, but it’d really do a heart good to see some of that motion actually occur down on the defensive end. There’s just way too much standing around on that end of the court.

 

·         Dear Ryan Hollins: More personal fouls than rebounds is a dangerous way for a journeyman 7’0” center to spend his time. In fact, it’s the way a 7’0” journeyman center spends his time the year or two before he finds himself with a lot more time to spend doing things like roughing in walls and ceilings on a midnight office renovation crew. If you think Coach Scott is going to continue to mistake you for JamarioMoon you’re crazy. He’s going to figure out which of you is which before long.

 

They Got Next

 

Who cares…what?

 

I mean, the Cavaliers take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday of next week. That’s a 7pm start on FSNOhio.

 

Coincidentally, it’s also my birthday. You can send cards and cash via the website.

 

DO NOT send me game tickets for that one. It’s simply not funny. I will accept tickets for road games however as the Cavaliers actually have a chance to win those.

 

I hear plenty of seats are available for Heat games.