During the third quarter of Wednesday night’s 91-89 victory over the visiting Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers went to a play known as “Elbow Curl Big” on four consecutive possessions– three of which resulted in points for Channing Frye.
In the play, Frye assumed his position in the corner of the floor, waited for a pick from Dwyane Wade, then curled his way right around to the hoop. Defenders sometimes get lost in the switching that this play creates — a fact the Cavs were quick to exploit.
“Usually, (opposing teams) catch wind of that play once or twice, but it kept working,” Frye said with a smile. “I’m gonna have to get new shoes. I wore the tread off of them. Tonight, I felt like a taller Kyle Korver. The play worked, so we kept running. I thank my teammates for standing on the opposite side and chilling for about five plays.”
Frye finished Wednesday night’s game with 16 points on 6-9 shooting from the field (2-4 from beyond the arc), four rebounds, one assists, one block, and one steal in 21 minutes of playing time.
“Well we know what Channing brings to the game,” LeBron James told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com after Wednesday’s game. “He adds spacing with his ability to shoot the ball for one, and he attracts the defense. But his ability to finish in the paint as well helps us out.”
With Kevin Love ruled out for roughly 6-8 weeks due to a hand injury, the Cavs will need Frye to continue playing well.
