Wasn’t pretty

Aloha,

I was a little nervous about this game. After an emotionally and physically draining double overtime win against the Bucks. this was a classic trap game without AD. Fortunately we got the win, it wasn’t pretty but I didn’t care.

LeBron was in complete control of this game with yet another triple double. Thats why I didn’t panic when the Grizzlies went on that ridiculous run to end the third. Still I really wish LeBron would stop trying to make those cross court passes that have like a 5% chance of being completed. I don’t mind a turnover due to a great defensive play but a lot of LeBrons turnovers are self inflicted.

With AD out we needed someone to step into the 2nd star role and Rui did just that. 32 and 10, 7-8 from 3 and 2 blocks will get it done. Rui is the most underrated player on the team. The first part of the year he was in and out of the line up, followed by Darvin constant tinkering with the rotations. Rui is shooting 42% from 3 for the year and since being inserted into the starting lineup at the beginning of February he has averaged 16 per. He is 6’ 8” 230 pounds with a 7 foot wing span. He is a matchup problem for most wings and I get a bit frustrated that he is not featured more but it’s safe to say that there are few 5th options in the league as good as him. Considering his defense has really picked up as well, he really deserves a little more love than he gets.

Austin’s shot was not falling last night but he made up for it with 11 assists and over all gritty play.

DLO continues his scorching 3 point shooting with a 5-9 night but the rest of his game was quite lack luster. But considering that he had been sick and then played 50 minutes against the Bucks the night before, I’ll give him a pass.

Last but not least was a Jackson Hayes. I was really worried when AD was scratched because triple J is a quality big but Jackson had 14 and 7 and pretty much matched Triple J’s production. Jackson really has been improving as the year has went on. He doesn’t have a lot in his back pocket which is a problem against beefier centers but he always brings the energy.

So I was hoping for a 5 and 1 road trip but since we got past the Bucks, a 6-0 trip is still in play. A lot will depend on AD’s health. We can probably get by the rest of the way without him, except for the Pacers. That would be tough game without him. Still, I’m feeling really good about this team as the playoffs approach. We have been winning a lot and many of those wins have come against quality teams. We just need to keep it up.