ClutchFans Game Thread: Cavaliers @ Rockets 1/22/2025

It's a case of classical conditioning. By always being extremely physical the refs are conditioned that donkey kicks are "normal".

Its the same reason why Shaq or Yao got abused on the nightly with very little calls, its because refs expected them to get beat up. So if Shaq gets hit going for a dunk thats normal, but if another center got hit they'd be going to the line.

This is also why stars like Cp3, Lebron, Kobe, Luka etc keep complaining to the refs every play. The refs are conditioned to them always complaining and tune them out and they never get a tech. OTH the one time FVV loses his temper at the refs he gets thrown out and suspended.

Its an unfair application of rules based on referee biases and preconception. While I do believe some refs are corrupt and do point manipulation, I find it hard to believe the NBA itself is favoring one team over the other.

San Antonio is a great example it isnt a big market team and they were called the most boring team in the NBA during TD era. Why would NBA favor them over the more exciting high flying Nash Suns?

 

We had 20+ turnovers, so there was a reason.

 

My son and I took my grandson to his first Rockets game. Wish it'd been this game instead of the Detroit debacle! Anyway... What these two games showed us, our biggest takeaway: Adams makes a big difference. I wish Alpi could set picks and secure the ball one-handed like that man does.

 

As in it shouldn’t have been, that was mostly self-inflicted. Completely careless passes, jumping into the air for no reason etc.

 

BBW?

 

I think some refs are biased against individual players and teams and some individual refs literally rig games for gambling money and the NBA doesn't really care, so the league is complicit in a sense. Major reform is clearly needed in regards to the officiating, both replacing individual refs and making systemic changes to the way games are called.

But I agree that the NBA doesn't just decide "okay this team and this team are going to be in the Finals this season", that's obviously not true. In just the last six years, we saw Toronto, Milwaukee, and Denver win titles. Sure, you could say the NBA was "throwing those organizations a bone", but then why have franchises like Washington and Charlotte never received one in the 3P era and still do not appear anywhere close to getting one now?

Yeah, the league is deeply flawed and corrupt in some ways but it's not literally pro wrestling... yet.

 

By the way, Detroit beat Atlanta last night to go 9-3 in January, so maybe they're just pretty good now and/or we caught them on a hot streak. Makes me feel a little better about that particular loss.

 

FVV on the 19-0 Cav's run: It's nasty man but we've been there before.

 

They really need to practice how to break that zone defense. Other teams are going to start employing that down the stretch in close games.

 

Been 3 games in a row - doesn’t help Ime doesn’t put the best zone busting lineup out there - he sticks to his guns

 

Ideally Jabari would help against the zone because he can shoot. But yeah I agree, Ime has to adjust.

FVV
Green
Tari
Jabari
Thompson

To me that’s the best offense against the zone. All can shoot and switch on defense as well. Until Jabari comes back you can swap him out with Brooks I guess.

 

Looking at the box score, and it's lucky for Fred that he had a good shooting night, otherwise we'd be holding him to the flame over his 6 turnovers. Amen had 5. That's wild. Luckily, he also had 4 steals so he basically comes out even. Way too many turnovers last night. Really glad we miraculously pulled it out.

 

When do we get Bari back from the shop?

Can’t take that long to get a twin turbo hand replacement.

 

Cav fans seem to think the officiating was subpar. They think Sengun got away with something.

 

got to hit the open shots

and hey, Cam & Holiday are pretty good at catch & shoot; just maybe use them a bit more when they zone up

 

Rewatched the ending. Tari closed out with his feet super hard on Garland 3. It wasn't even close. It's like he was too focused on closing out with his hands and completely forget about his lower body. He really needs to learn from this. He's done this a few times in the clutch which has cost us.

 

I think the refs called no foul on that Sengun push because 1) Allen obviously fouled Sengun on his hook shot. He was all over his back. That should've been an And-1. 2) Sengun pushed slightly but Allen definitely sold it/flopped.

 

He did.

Asked about this, IME on the method- jump and jump to the side.

 

They were pushing each other the whole game - no call would be consistent. But if there was a call, technically, Allen absolutely fouled Sengun on that shot.