Preseason games reveal reasons for encouragement and learning opportunities. Many here will say, "Everyone knows that." Watch any high school or college game and see that knowledge is not the same as action.
Navigating the pick-and-roll is NBA 101. The Celtics trap the ball screen ineffectively and the Cavaliers earn a passing grade.
The Celtics return the favor. The Cavs go into 'drop coverage' and Schierman takes advantage.
Layups, threes, and free throws. Mobley earns two with effort as the Celtics transition defense is lacking.
The defense "cheats" looking for a steal and the passer finds a filled corner for a wide open three for Hugo Gonzalez.
SLOB into a high ball screen. Urgent cutting (rolling) earns the Cavs a three point play.
NBA fundamentals. Gonzalez "draws two and dishes" and a wide-open three follows.
Excellent players "win in space." Your parents told you, "Don't play in the traffic." Walsh drives into traffic and commits a live-ball turnover...resulting in a high points-per-possession chance for the Cavs. It's one of those 15 plays the Sons of Joe Mazzulla want to have over.
Simple basketball wins. A hard cut with an on-time, on-target pass earns the Cavs a deuce. Basket cuts are one of the high points-per-possession scoring plays in the NBA.
