CLEVELAND: In the postgame locker room huddle after Friday night’s 25-point victory over the Washington Wizards, Cavaliers star LeBron James welcomed back Timofey Mozgov.
Mozgov didn’t go anywhere, but the scene captured by Fox Sports Ohio’s camera showed James realizes how important the 7-foot-1 center can be the next four months.
Against the Wizards, Mozgov made 7-of-11 field goals, most on dunks and several on passes from James. Mozgov finished with 14 points, reaching double digits for just the 14th time in 60 games.
In the previous game against the Indiana Pacers, Mozgov scored one point in 16 minutes. In the Cavs’ blowout loss to the Wizards on Feb. 28, Mosgov scored 10 points, equaling his total in the previous two games. The roller-coaster statistics might indicate Mozgov has been struggling with his confidence.
Coach Tyronn Lue said the Cavs aren’t asking more from Mozgov, whose play might also have suffered because he’s in the final year of his contract.
“[We just need] Timo to do what he’s always done for us. Protect the paint, use his verticality, blocking shots, guarding great post players, which he’s done a great job of, and then finishing around the basket,” Lue said before Saturday night’s game against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. “When you get easy layups and dunks, go up strong, finish it. That’s all we need from Timo.”
Mozgov’s reluctance to dunk has frustrated Cavs television analyst Austin Carr of late. Some would suggest Mosgov is more effective when he’s already going toward the basket.
“I think our guards do a great job getting to the basket. Kyrie, Delly, LeBron are driving the basket and those bigs are stepping up to help and dropping off Timo,” Lue said. “We’ve got to be ready to finish it. If he gets fouled, he’s a great free-throw shooter. He’s got to be ready to catch the ball and finish.”
Seeing improvement
Going into Saturday, the Cavs ranked fourth in the league in free-throw percentage since the All-Star break (.813). They trailed the Dallas Mavericks (.834), New Orleans Pelicans (.826) and the New York Knicks (.815) and were ahead of the San Antonio Spurs (.808). That prowess has enabled the Cavs to move from 26th in the league at the break to 24th in a span of eight games.
“I guess better focus on our part,” Lue said. “Our guys early on in the season were missing a lot of free throws. I think now guys have the confidence and are going up and making them.”
What’s it mean?
James sent out another one of his cryptic tweets before the game, but does not talk during the open locker room period, leaving beat writers to try to interpret it.
“The ultimate level of chemistry is when you know what I’m thinking without saying a word and we execute it. Visa Versa. #TheDC #SFG” it said.
“Strive for greatness” was the best guess as to what #SFG meant, while one suggestion for #TheDC was “the daily challenge.”
Notes
The Cavs play Monday, giving them a stretch of three games in four days, but as of Saturday Lue had no plans to rest any starters then. All played on Saturday. ... The Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk sat out, still sidelined with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Coach Brad Stevens said Olynyk, who dislocated the shoulder of the Cavs’ Kevin Love last season during the playoffs, should return to practice soon, but there is no timetable.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com.