Cleveland Cavaliers: Top Three Lineups By The Numbers

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Feb 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after he was hit in the head by center Timofey Mozgov (20) in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

PG- Irving SG- Smith SF- James PF- Love C- Mozgov

MIN- (229) OffRtg- (97.1) DefRtg- (107.7) NetRtg- (-10.7)

AST Ratio- (17.4) TO Ratio- (17.6) PACE- (96.83)

This unit ranks second on the team in minutes played, but is also its worst. The root of the problem for the group of five has to be center Timofey Mozgov.

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The seven-footer looks borderline clueless on defense most of the time, but when Kyrie Irving is consistently getting beat off the dribble he looks softer than Drake attempting to protect the rim.

Where is the Mozgov we saw last year? You know, the one we gave up a first round draft pick for last season. This group would be much better with last year’s version of the Russian center.

Perhaps benching Mozgov for Channing Frye would prove beneficial? It’s not like Mozzy has been protecting the rim, and Frye hits from long-range. The move is unlikely to happen, but it’s interesting to ponder the impact of both Frye and Kevin Love consistently spreading the floor on the offensive end.

One thing in particularly struck me as shocking. The lineup with the second most minutes played, consisting of Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love, also has the lowest net rating of the top three units in terms of minutes.

Big Three? Eh, I do not remember James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh struggling with the Miami Heat in such fashion.

Mozgov may not be playing at a high level, but only one of our three max money players shows up to play on a consistent basis.

Next: PG- Irving SG- Smith SF- James PF- Love C- Thompson

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