As the kids say, the Cleveland Cavaliers are “woke,” following a stretch of lackluster basketball. The Cavs are going steady as we approach April.
There are few catchphrases more well known than sportscaster Dave Johnson’s. An icon in the horse racing world, Johnson’s famous line is synonymous with the sport he broadcasts.
“And down the stretch they come,” Johnson always bellows as the thoroughbreds angle around the final corner of a heated race.
If the Cavs’ season were a horse race, Johnson’s famous words would echo as the team gallops into its final nine games — the last, crucial stretch as Cleveland attempts to secure the Eastern Conference’s 3-seed, or at least home-court advantage in the first round.
Thankfully, in the famous words of another entertainer, Cleveland “has its mojo back, baby.” The Cavs have scored 114-plus points in each of their last five games. The streak comes on the heels of a 3-3 road trip.
In the five wins, the Cavs shot around 50 percent, torching opponents with 10 3-pointers in four of the five victories. Cleveland also out-rebounded opponents by more than seven boards per game.
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Both directly relate to Kevin Love’s galvanizing return. Back at center, Love sank 13 triples in four games, shooting 48.1 percent from deep. He rebounded well while anchoring the post against the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, two teams that attack the rim.
It’s a strong reminder of how good Cleveland’s “third wheel” is. When LeBron James rejoined the Cavs many moons ago, Love was an afterthought despite the price tag of two former first round picks. All the attention centered on budding duo of James and Kyrie Irving.
Then Irving left, and everyone fantasized of how the perfect pick-and-pop point guard would mesh with the perfect pick-and-pop post player in Al Horford. Everyone forgot Irving was leaving behind the center who wowed scouts with his range before centers routinely shot 3s.
Sometimes an injury can be a blessing in disguise. Cleveland.com recently documented Love’s adjustment to his shooting form, a change he made while rehabbing a broken hand. Here’s a look at his stroke before the injury:
And here is a compilation from Love on Sunday:
The change is subtle, but Love now shoots with the ball closer to his head thanks to advice from Kyle Korver.
“He’s always trying to figure out how he can fix anybody’s shot no matter if you’re a 90-plus percent free throw shooter or he’s always looking in the mirror too and seeing where he can get better so I kind of did the same. Hopefully it helps and will continue to get better,” Korver told Cleveland.com.
Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr. also shed their street clothes for the Brooklyn Nets game. While Nance was limited by injury, Hood resembled the player he was in Utah, scoring 16 points in 33 minutes of the bench.
His value can’t be understated. When fully healthy, Cleveland has three serviceable point guards and by moving Jeff Green to power forward, four deep in the post. Apart from James, however, Hood is the only playmaker on the wing. Korver is a spot-up shooter and J.R. Smith seems like he’s on the brink of retirement. Hood is essential to taking pressure off LeBron, especially against teams like Boston or Golden State with three our four playmaking wings.
James said as much to the media following the win.
“When @rodneyhood plays with aggression and he plays a little selfish, then he’s a very dynamic player and that’s what we need.” - @KingJames#CavsNets | #AllForOne https://t.co/q1WOCB1LCB
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 26, 2018
The Cavaliers’ turnaround reflects more than just an ailing team regaining its health. There is renewed pep in their step; a level of confidence paralleling the impressive run earlier in the year.
It’s a team hitting its playoff stride, a common trait in late-season LeBron squads. It comes as Boston learns Kyrie Irving may miss part of the playoffs and the Toronto Raptors have fallen back to earth.
If the season ended today, Cleveland would avoid a potential dreaded first round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. “The Process” appears to be in bloom, and Philly is looking at a 4- or 5-seed following six straight wins.
Instead, Cleveland is in line to face an ailing Washington Wizards team or an underperforming Milwaukee Bucks squad.
All of this leads to good feelings and mojo in the clubhouse. It’s manifested itself on the offensive side of the ball. Cleveland is playing free, scoring 120 points in four straight games to tie a franchise record.
A few questions remain. What is up with head coach Tyronn Lue? Can the Cavs stay healthy? The first query is tough to answer and the second one seems less significant than it did a couple weeks ago.
Yes, LeBron and Love are irreplaceable, but improved play from Jose Calderon and Ante Zizic reassures the team’s depth. It’s like knowing you at least have a backup tire in case one blows out.
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These all serve as confidence-boosters as the Cavs turn the corner. “Down the stretch they come.” The finish line is in sight.