Cavs out-muscled in clunker of loss to Celtics

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 125-105 road loss to the Celtics on Wednesday. …

1. It’s safe to say the Cavaliers did not bring their “A” game. It was more like their C-minus game.

2. Somehow, someway, they have to figure out why they’re not rebounding well enough and get it corrected. But that’s what the early season is for — figure out your shortcomings and work on them, while not losing sight of what you’re doing well.

3. The cold, hard truth on this night? The Cavs (3-2) were destroyed on the glass when it mattered. Boston won the rebounding battle, 52-42. It felt a lot worse than that. Probably because the Celtics collected a whopping 18 offensive rebounds.

4. Just like you have to finish the play on offense, you gotta do the same on defense. The Cavs actually did OK defensively most of the night. But they kept giving up second (and sometimes third) opportunities.

5. Defense doesn’t end when an opponent releases the shot. It ends when you get the ball. Cleveland seems determined to learn that the hard way.

6. Some of it is dumb luck — missed shots clanking off the backboard, rolling into the opponents’ hands, or just a lucky bounce here or there. But most of it is pure desire. From what I can tell, the Cavs aren’t crashing the glass nearly enough.

7. It’s also just practicing the fundamentals. It’s not often that you can just go get a missed shot. You have to put a body on someone first.

8. The Cavs’ failure to do all that is pretty much why they lost this game. On the bright side, they still have 77 regular-season games to get it figured out.

9. Offensively, the Cavs started incredibly hot, burying 10 of their first 12 threes (all in the first quarter). They went 7-of-40 on threes the rest of the night. There’s no shame in taking midrange shots when the 3-pointers aren’t dropping, analytics be darned.

10. And sometimes, a three is the lazy way out. On several occasions, the Cavs had the chance to make the Celtics sweat. But instead of working the ball around … they settled. It didn’t pay off.

11. That said, unless you were running around the house wildly when the Cavs rocked the Pistons in Detroit the other night, you shouldn’t get too bummed about this one. My advice? Don’t do either and keep some perspective. There’s another game in less than 48 hours.

12. Donovan Mitchell started out on fire, hitting his first four threes. Then he finished 5-of-12 from the field. All were threes (15 points). He also only attempted two free throws, missing both. That tells me he wasn’t going to the basket like normal. Something just seemed off.

13. Evan Mobley (19 points, 11 rebounds) did a nice all-around job, as did second-year man Jaylon Tyson (19 points before fouling out). Tyson started in place of Sam Merrill (hip) and may have played his best game as a pro. He gave great and tireless effort.

14. Still, I think the Cavs missed Merrill a little bit. Along with hitting shots at a high clip in his first three-and-a-half games, he does a lot of the perimeter dirty work defensively. The Cavs lost because they were out-dirty-worked.

15. The Celtics (2-3) used a 20-3 run late in the second quarter to give themselves all the separation they needed. After that, it was an uphill battle for the Cavs. When you’re not doing the intangibles … well, a rally is unlikely.

16. Mitchell didn’t score in the second half, but other than that, the Cavs pretty much played the Celtics even. De’Andre Hunter added 18 points, though he shot just 5-of-17, and Jarrett Allen had 16, though most came early.

17. Sometimes, I think the Cavs get away from what’s working, and oftentimes, what’s working is taking place near the basket. Three-pointers are OK. Fifty-two is too many. That’s not how the Cavs will be successful.

18. Again, hardly a reason for panic. The Cavs have opened the season with four of the first five on the road. We all know they’re a better team than this version of the Celtics. Some nights you just don’t have it, and this was one of those nights.

19. Lonzo Ball has never been a very good shooter and he didn’t do anything to refute that reputation on this night (1-of-5). But he always does the little things well, and not surprisingly, was part of the group that helped the Cavs claw back. Then came a turnover or missed three or another offensive rebound for the Celtics.

20. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points. Sam Hauser added 21 off the bench, burying his first four and five of his first six from deep. Then the Cavs realized they should probably guard him.

21. Anyway, no biggie. Just get the next one. That comes Friday against the Raptors. Each of the Cavs’ next three is at home, in fact.