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Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned from a 14-point loss to the Clips

By Jackson Flickinger

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a Cavaliers foul during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on March 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a Cavaliers foul during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on March 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 9: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a dunk against the LA Clippers on March 9, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 9: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a dunk against the LA Clippers on March 9, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Lesson No. 2: Jeff Green can’t find his three-point shot.

Green is in a serious shooting slump. His performance in LA was more proof of that as he went 0 for 5 from distance and shot just 3 for 12 from the field.

Interestingly enough, the Cavaliers played their best basketball of the night when Jeff Green was on the floor. He did a good job of using his speed and athleticism to his advantage as he was forced to guard opposing centers.

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As a result, he finished with a team-high +8 and had a team-high net rating of 14.9. In fact, Green was also the only Cavalier to play over 15 minutes that finished with a positive net rating.

His versatility is something that the Cavs desperately need given their current injuries. But, his effectiveness in the half-court offense is limited by how well he is shooting. By the end of the game, the Clippers weren’t even coming near him when he had the ball on the perimeter.

Green must make his outside shots to be effective. He needs to show that opposing bigs need to respect his outside shot. The problem is that Green isn’t a good outside shooter and he’s in a terrible slump. The only way to break out of a slump is by continuing to put up shots, but that’s what’s killing the team right now.

Green has shown that he can be a solid player for this team. With the Cavs’ lack of size, the Cavs will need his versatility until Love and Thompson return from injury.

Let’s just hope Green’s shot comes back to him sooner rather than later. If it doesn’t come back, he’ll likely find himself on the outside of the rotation once everyone’s healthy.