Cavs: One stud and one dud from loss to Hornets on Friday

Cavs Dud – The fourth quarter offensive approach/possession security and/or quality

Turnovers were a big problem in this game overall for the Cavs, with 19 leading to 34 Charlotte points, but the Cavs were still able to hold a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The game ended early in the fourth, though, with six turnovers as the Hornets were able to pull away and put this game on ice.

Cleveland’s still a young team and it’s clear the Cavaliers are still going through a number of growing pains and still learning how to win. Again the Cavs had a chance in the fourth quarter and were seemingly right there heading into it.

Conversely, the game against the Grizzlies was closer late, but late turnovers in key situations is what ultimately did the Cavs in against Charlotte. In this game it just happened early and in an avalanche-like effect with six in the early portion of the quarter.

In any case, the Cavs are still a very young team and you’ll probably see games like this, where they struggle to close games, because of their youth. It’s early, but the Wine and Gold have been really competitive against two very good teams, but turnovers at the wrong time in key situations is what has doomed them through two games.

If the Cavs plan is to be in the mix for a play-in spot, one of the next areas of development for the young guys is executing in those key situations and learning to close some of these games.