The Cleveland Cavaliers earned a much-needed win Wednesday night in Brooklyn against a reeling Nets team.
Kevin Love (17 points, 18 rebounds) and LeBron James (17 points) had their way against the Nets’ non-existent defense.
The Cavs used a “sharp practice” Tuesday to shake off the anger stemming from a humiliating loss to the Golden State Warriors earlier this week.
Per the Akron Beacon Journal:
The most noticeable difference was their faster tempo, especially in the first quarter. Passes were sharper (and more plentiful), the pace much quicker. […] “Coach, he’s been pressuring us about pushing our pace, getting up the floor and I think we did that tonight,” LeBron James said.
“Bron always talks about, ‘The ball has energy,’ so the ball really was hopping around tonight, really moved and that set guys up for a lot of great shots,” Kevin Love said. […] Gone, at least for one night, was isolation basketball and the lethargy that sets in when the Cavs stand around and wait for James to make a big play. The Cavs outscored the Nets 16-4 in fast-break points, where James was especially deadly.
Especially energized was Love, who had a double-double by halftime and finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds. He shot 10 field goals (making five), eight free throws (making six) and attempted only three 3-pointers (making one). That last stat was the biggest, since Love was 10 of 28 from 3-point range in the previous five games, an average of 5.6 per game. […] Asked how Love can achieve Wednesday’s mix of shots more frequently, coach David Blatt said, “Well, the question is the answer. You’ve got to play that way.”
