Random dribbles on the Cavaliers heading into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday at Chicago:
1. This is the Cavs' biggest game in five years. I know I'm not saying anything earth-shattering here. I also know this isn't an elimination game. But when it comes to Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and a few others -- well, they've never played an NBA game bigger than this.
2. If the Cavaliers want to win, they'll probably need to do a better job of moving the ball and cutting down on the turnovers. LeBron James is the leader in this department, as he does the majority of the ball-handling. That's especially the case with Irving clearly just trying to survive on one good foot.
3. In the Cavs' lone win in the series (Game 2), James committed two turnovers. In the two losses, he's averaging 6.5 per game. So again, LeBron absolutely, positively must take better care of the ball for the Cavs to have a real chance.
4. And again, a good way to avoid turnovers is to not dribble, dribble and dribble -- then drive and leave your feet to pass at the end of the shot clock. James admitted he's sometimes guilty of this, and it all too often results in nothing good.
5. That's not to place the 2-1 series hole at the feet of Cleveland's basketball king. It is merely to say LeBron is the Cavs' greatest hope -- and if he is at (or near) his best, they'll have a good chance. With all the injuries, they need him now more than ever.
6. Nor would it hurt for LeBron to rediscover his jumper. He's shooting just 39.5 percent for the series. That includes a miserable 1-of-12 on 3-pointers. Most of his shots from beyond the arc haven't even been close. He doesn't need to turn into Ray Allen -- but another made perimeter shot here or there sure would be nice.
7. James went 8-of-25 from the floor in the Game 3 heartbreaker. As he said, if he had hit just one or two more, then the Cavs probably win. Same goes for Irving. A sore foot, combined with the Bulls' defense, limited him to 3-of-13 in that same game. You aren't gonna win too many games when LeBron and Kyrie combine to go 11-of-38.
8. That said, if it hadn't been for Derrick Rose's miracle heave at the final buzzer, I might be writing a different story. The Cavs only need to clean up a few things. Overall, the defense has been pretty solid after Game 1. Matthew Dellavedova has been better than expected off the bench. And J.R. Smith played with the same amount of swagger after missing two games because of a suspension. That's all good. The Cavs need all of that and more.
9. Not that this really matters, but the Cavs aren't alone. In fact, every higher seed in the playoffs is trailing 2-1 after three games of the conference semis. That's a first since the postseason was expanded to 16 teams (1984).
10. One of these higher seeds is going to come back and win the series. I'd think the Cavs have just as good of a shot as any. But they need LeBron to be on top of his game, and Kyrie to at least be a threat. Both seem very determined to do exactly that.
11. Irving on his ability to perform in Game 4: "I'm pretty optimistic. It is what it is at this point. Probably eight out of 10 players on the floor in any playoff game probably have some knick-knacks or injury in some way. For me, it's more of a prideful thing and as a competitor, to just go out there and give my team whatever is needed and whatever I can."
