One game into the 2017 NBA Playoffs, things are playing out pretty much as expected... unless of course you're a Celtics, Raptors or Clippers fan and you find your home court advantage got cracked like an Easter egg. From a Cavalier perspective, Game 1 against the Pacers might have been a wee bit more fragile than we hoped for, but still a close win is better than a close loss. Nate and EvilGenius hopped into the podcast booth tonight to revisit some of the finer points of Saturday's Cavs matinee playoff debut. We also discussed the curious absence of Iman Shumpert from the rotation, whether or not this season's malaise has seeped into the fanbase, and cracked open the other first round series... some of which have provided early surprises. We even speculated about why missing out on the number one seed might have been a good thing for the Cavs, and why the Raptors should really be fearing the deer right about now. Catch all of this, and some bonus discussion of David Griffin's future in this episode...

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Nate Smith, Tom Pestak, and Samuel Meyer trudged to the podcast booth to cathartically rant about two consecutive epic fails against the Hawks, the Cavs' bizarre decision to cut DeAndre Liggins and sign Dahntay Jones, Ty Lue and his inability to manage minutes, why the Cavs aren't just resting guys, the ridiculously bad officiating, the Cavs' amazing ability to screw things up, the playoff race, the Cavs' chances, and so much more.

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Nate, EvilGenius, and newcomer, Sam Meyer, jumped into the booth to discuss the big double OT win, whether or not it means the Cavs are back on the right track, what the rest of the schedule holds, and how large Wednesday’s showdown with the Celtics looms. We also touch on LBJ’s dustup with Tristan Thompson late in this game, and speculate on some potential first round opponents.

The Cavs won Sunday,, but they didn’t make it easy on themselves against the visiting Indiana Pacers. In fact, it took an extra 10 minutes of time to finally decide the matter… not to mention another triple double from LeBron James (his 11th on the season), and some significant contributions from Kevin Love, J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving in the overtime periods. Still, the wine & gold were able to build on the positives they’d established two nights ago against the Sixers, and avoided falling another game behind the Boston Celtics for the top spot in the East. There was a noticeable defensive improvement, except where Paul George was involved. The Pacer star went toe-to-toe with LeBron, as they each scored 40+ and did everything he could to try and keep his team from falling out of the playoff picture.

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Nate Smith and EvilGenius got in the podcast booth to cover the Cavalier Malaise, the best player on the floor tonight (Kawhi Leonard), why the Cavs don't seem to run plays, if it's too late for the Cavs to improve their interior defense, and speculate on whether or not the Cavs can still capture the top seed in the East (they lost that distinction tonight for the first time since November... of 2015!). In all, it was a pretty cathartic ventilation of the current state of basketball in the Land. Only time will tell if this trend is an indication of the limitations of this once Championship level team... or just a low flying panic attack...

Forgive the dark allegory, but I just happened to be listening to the first track (Burn the Witch) off the most recent Radiohead album while typing up this brief description of the devastation that occurred in San Antonio tonight. If you had any doubts that the Cavs’ defense could fall further than it had already since the All Star Break (or even the previous hemorrhage on Saturday against the Washington Wizards in Cleveland)… this performance likely disabused you of that notion. Just like in the above image (from the video of that same song)… we’re all waiting for Ty Lue to unveil this secret, switch-flipping incarnation of defense for the post-season. The question will be whether or not it will ultimately make a difference.

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Nate Smith, Mitch Suchan, and EvilGenius discussed the Cavs' week of woe, the Houston loss, and his Turdness, James HArden. The NBA can't allow him to be MVP, can they? They also talked on Cavs'rebounding woes, the inability to get stops, the madness of NBA scheduling, Larry Sanders, NBA officiating and the free pass some guys get (we're looking at you Harden and Nene), Ty Lue's coaching brain farts, "Pudge" Williams, J.R. and www.pleasestopdribblingshump.com, LeBron's gas tank, the Eastern Conference race, Kyrie Irving's defense, and so much more.

On the pod, Nate Smith, Evil Genius, and newest CtPer, Mitch Suchan talk about about the win over the Wolf Pups, Derrick Williams, what Love's absence means, whether he'll be able fit back in, Shumpert's return, why Wiggins always gets up for the Cavs, the baffling absense of DeAndre Liggins', have we seen the last of Felder?, will the Cavs make another move, do they have the greenlight for greenbacks from @CavsDan?, LBJ minutes policing, Channing Frye, the Ibaka trade, and so much more.

Nate Smith, Evil Genius, and newest CtPer, Mitch Suchan talk the game, Derrick Williams, the meaning of Love's (and his absence), whether Kevin will be able fit back in, Shumpert's return, why Wiggins always gets up for the Cavs, the baffling absense of DeAndre Liggins', have we seen the last of Felder?, will the Cavs make another move?, do they have the greenlight for greenbacks from @CavsDan?, LBJ minutes policing, Channing Frye, the Ibaka trade, and so much more. 

The Cavs held off the hungry Wolf pups Tuesday night in a high scoring battle that saw Minny shoot 49%, and Cleveland edge them out by shooting 51%. For the T-Wolves, Andrew Wiggins put on a show, scoring 41 on 29 shots, and adding a three boards, two assists, and a steal in 41 minutes with zero turnovers. Karl-Anthony Towns added 26, Gorgui Dieng 12 and 10, and Ricky Rubio had 16 dimes, 8 boards, and only two points as he dished out the treats to the puppies.

f Channing Frye who started in Love's absence and scored 21, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked two shots, and was a game high +17 in 32 minutes. Channing was 4-11 from three and 3-4 from from two. The Cavs as a team attempted a whopping 39 triples and made only 13. Kyrie Irving was bricking them as he went just 2-10 but 8-17 everywhere else to score 25 and drop seven dimes with no turnovers. Canadian Double Double Dynamite dropped 14 and 11 and outshot the King from the charity stripe. 

Speaking of Bron, he was brilliant offensively, as he attacked relentlessly and ran the offense brilliantly to finish with 25 on 14 shots, eight boards, and an eye popping 14 dimes. The only blemishes on his night were his chill mode defense on Wiggins, and six turnovers. Much of this could've been fatigue as Bron had 33 minutes logged going into the fourth and finished with 39. He had several rim rattling dunks and an enormous three late to put the Cavs up for good.

To sum up: The Cavs let CJ Miles and the Pacers get loose in first quarter (70% shooting/36 points); got down by as much as 15; closed the gap to end the half; then came out and dropped 40 to 18 on Indy in the third; Korver went nuts (10-12, 8-9 from three for 29 points); Cleveland let Indy get within seven late in fourth then turned on the Threezus jets.

Nate Smith and EvilGenius get as raucus as two middle aged guys can as they recap the Cavs victory over the Pacers and the incendiary play of the Cavs’ offense of late. The cover Korver and his 29 points (a lot better than Indiana did), his 108 TS%, LeBron’s gaudy assist totals of late (25, six, and nine dimes vs Indy), Kyrie mid-ranging (12-17 inside the stripe Wednesday for 29 points and seven dimes), the free throw resurgence (24-26!), Kevin Love’s freebie mastery (22-23 in the last three games), the Cavs second half rebound (literally and figuratively) – Cleveland was outrebounded 23-15 in the first half and went on to win the battle of the boards 39-38.

Other topics include: DeAndre’s D, the epic victory over the Wiz; Kay Felder, world’s greatest miniature screen setter; the Carmelo Anthony kerfuffle; will Cleveland make a move; the missed Lance Stephenson opportunity; @CavsDan’s penny pinching; the January blues; and so much more

To sum up: the Cavs let CJ and the Pacers get loose in first quarter (70% shooting/36 points); got down by as much as 15; closed the gap to end the half; then came out and dropped 40 to 18 on Indy in the third; Korver went nuts (10-12, 8-9 from three for 29 points); Cleveland let Indyget within seven late in fourth then turned on the Threezus jets.

EG and Nate cover Korver and his 29 points (a lot better than Indiana did), his 108 TS%, LeBron's gaudy assist totals of late (25, six, and nine dimes vs INdy), Kyrie mid-ranging (12-17 inside the stripe Wednesday for 29 points and seven dimes), the free throw resurgance (24-26!), Kevin Love's freebie mastery (22-23 in the last three games), the Cavs second half rebound (literally and figuratively) and the fact that they were outrebounded 23-15 in the first half and went on to win the battle of the boards 39-38.

Other topics include:DeAndre's D, the epic victory over the wiz; Kay Felder, world's greatest miniature screen setter; the Carmelo Anthony kerfuffle; will Cleveland make a move; the missed Lance Stephenson opportunity; CavsDan's penny pinching; the January blues; and so much more.

Despite the lonesome feel of the dusty trail that is the NBA regular season, CtB rustled up a posse of Tom Pestak, EvilGenius, and Nate Smith. They had plenty to talk about as they recapped a lousy Cavalier January. We chewed the cud over LeBron's comments to Dave McMenamin regarding Charles Barkley's comments on Inside the NBA. Was LeBron justified, was Barkley? Was it excessive? Who's gonna win this showdown?

We asked what's ailing the Cavs (transition defense was a big one). Does David Griffin get a pass or fail? Should Cleveland take Nate's crazy advice and trade for Melo? Are we overreacting when we put out a warrant for this team's defense in January? Why is Tyronn Lue going all Hatfields and McCoys with the media? Who gets voted out of Cavalierville? What's the Cavaliers greatest need? And, the highlight, we giggle like 12-year olds while doing Campy Russell impersonations.