Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Celtics

3. Play the bench, please

Tyronn Lue, if you are reading this, the following paragraphs are for you. Everyone else, you are welcome to keep reading too, but for right now, I want a moment to speak directly the Cavaliers head coach.

Lue, play your bench. Your young guys. Your athletic youth that’s suppressed its frustration watching Jeff Green and J.R. Smith attempt to sabotage the Cavaliers’ playoff run.

Larry Nance Jr. scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting while grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and swiping three steals. He had a positive +5 plus/minus and put on a clinic of highlight reel slams. The adrenaline shot those gave the team was immeasurable.

Jordan Clarkson scored nine points in 18 minutes, drilling three of his seven 3-pointers. Finally getting chance, his plus/minus was +9 in 18 minutes.

Nance played a combined 15 minutes between Games 1 and 2. Clarkson played a combined 15 and didn’t see the floor in Game 2.

The played in Game 3. They were good. The Cavs won.

Tyronn — may I call you Tyronn? Tyronn, I know conventional wisdom says tighten up the rotation in the playoffs. Remember, however, that there is little difference between your third-best player (maybe George Hill? Kyle Korver?) and your eighth (probably Clarkson).

When players are that similar talent wise, sometimes you need to let the matchups dictate who sees the floor as opposed to just playing the regular starters. The Celtics are young, hungry, athletic and incredibly versatile. You need to play guys with similar qualities, i.e. Nance and Clarkson.

Don’t mean to tell you how to do your job, but you know.