The Cleveland Cavaliers faced a tough loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. This ended their winning streak. Also, the final score was 132-119. This game showed several issues for the Cavaliers. These need to be addressed moving forward. Continue reading to learn more about the Clippers defeating the Cavaliers by 132-119.
Strong Start by the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers began the game with a strong performance. They scored 45 points in the first quarter. Thus, it was an impressive start and gave fans hope for a victory. However, the rest of the game did not go well. The Cavaliers only managed to score 74 points in the remaining three quarters. Also, they struggled especially in the fourth quarter. They scored only 17 points.
Second Half Struggles
The second half of the game was problematic for the Cavaliers. This was not the first time they faced issues in the second half. Moreover, in the previous game, they struggled after halftime. This was against the Orlando Magic. Max Strus was the only player who performed well in the second life. He scored 12 points on perfect shooting. The rest of the team combined for only 34 points. They shot poorly from the field. This was especially from the three-point range.
The Cavaliers shot 13-for-39 (33.3%) from the field. Also, they shot only 1-for-17 (5.9%). This was from three-point range in the second half. This poor shooting performance made it difficult for them to keep up with the Clippers.
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Donovan Mitchell’s Performance
Donovan is the Cavaliers’ best player. He needed to perform better in this game. Moreover, he struggled to score in the fourth quarter in the last two games. He went 3-for-12 in the fourth quarter against Orlando Magic. He shot only 1-for-10 in the second half on Tuesday against the Clippers. Also, he scored just five points. This lack of scoring contributed to the Cavaliers being outscored. This was by 23 points in the second half.
Mitchell missed two games due to a groin injury. This was before these back-to-back losses. Also, he was able to create good shots. This was despite his shooting on the injury. However, he could not convert them. He provided 11 assists and took good shots. His performance was not the only reason for the loss. The Cavaliers needed him to step up more.
Rebounding Issues
Rebounding was another major issue for the Cavaliers in this game. Head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the importance of winning the possession game. However, the Cavaliers struggled to secure rebounds against the Clippers. Los Angeles grabbed 41% of their missed
shots. This led to 20 second-chance points.
Ivica Zubac was an integral player for the Clippers. He dominated the boards. Also, he collected eight offensive rebounds. His ability to outmuscle the Cavaliers’ frontcourt made it difficult for Cleveland. They could not maintain defensive pressure. Thus, the Cavaliers need to improve their rebounding. They can compete effectively in the games after this improvement.
Looking Ahead
The Cavaliers have shown they can be a strong team this season. However, they need to address their second-half struggles and rebounding issues. Also, these problems could be costly. This is as they aim for a playoff spot. The team does not have as many flaws. This is when compared to last season. They faced the New York Knicks in the playoffs. They can improve in this area for their success in the postseason.
Conclusion
The Cavaliers lost to the Clippers by 132-119. This ended the Cavaliers’ winning streak. They started strong but lost to their poor shooting. Moreover, Donavan needs to improve his late-game performance for the Cavaliers to succeed. Thus, the team must focus on these challenges as they prepare for the upcoming games.
