Yeah, he was basically 'sat' for most of the game. A big 3rd quarter but largely anonymous through the other 3.
Re: Game Day (Early Start!): Suns (19-13) @ Cavaliers (18-16), Wed 12/31/25
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 4:39 pm
by Mori Chu
Bleh. Bad game. Even when we were within 6-8 points it still felt like the Cavs had the game in hand almost from start to finish. Not much positive to take away from this one; Bouyea had 18 points (!), Goodwin had 15 rebounds (!) but shot only 1-11; Book had 32 points but it felt like many of them came once the game was already lost. Brooks had a pretty decent game with 20 points and hit some tough shots, but he didn't seem successful at getting under Donovan Mitchell's skin (Mitchell had 34). Cavs had 6 players in double figures and just generally seemed to be outplaying us at both ends, running a more fluid offense and getting easier shots, and effectively slowing us down on defense. They looked like the better team. I think the Cavs are better than their record and will still be one of the best teams in the East this year.
Re: Game Day (Early Start!): Suns (19-13) @ Cavaliers (18-16), Wed 12/31/25
Re: Game Day (Early Start!): Suns (19-13) @ Cavaliers (18-16), Wed 12/31/25
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:43 pm
by ShelC
Hit-the-wall game for us I think with a lot of factors involved. Early start, last game on the road trip and on NYE on top of it. Kind of a recipe for a loss. Cleveland just had more bounce and we couldn't get over the hump when we got it to 5. Surprised Williams was so ineffective against Allen and we couldn't seem to keep up with their shooters.
On a side note, it's really bothersome how Book really gets no respect from the refs. It's been like that forever but lately it seems worse. He got raked on the arm on a drive and had a slice from his bicep down to his forearm with no call. He got a T for getting in the official's afterward but I don't know what he or anyone else can do at this point. The NBA is allowing more physicality but a foul is a foul. And the refs are not only not calling fouls but then they T guys up when they get frustrated and say something or retaliate against other players.
Re: Game Day (Early Start!): Suns (19-13) @ Cavaliers (18-16), Wed 12/31/25
Couldn't have had much of a worse first quarter. Good thing for the Collin 3 to close it out. Big uphill battle now the rest of the way.
Yeah, that first quarter killed us. Then we had to play catch up the rest of the way and we did and got within two points but it took all our energy to get there only to get blown out at the end. That's OK. Good motivation for next year and shows we can never back off.
Re: Game Day (Early Start!): Suns (19-13) @ Cavaliers (18-16), Wed 12/31/25