The Cavs are scorching hot, going 5-0 on the week in what were mostly blowouts.
Game 1, @The Indiana Pacers: Haliburton? Better than Garland? I don’t think so. I don’t think it’s even close, really. Regardless, the Cavaliers man handled the Pacers, doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Final score 122-103. Every starter for Cleveland finished with 15+ points, with the high man being Darius Garland at 24 points and 6 assists. Donovan Mitchell slowly started looking like his normal self, but still not fully. He scored 19 on the night. “All Star” Tyrese Haliburton scored a whopping 15 points. He did dish out 11 assists though, and I can’t knock him for that. Mobleys offensive progression continues as he tacks up 17 points. Okoro played amazing, scoring 20 and playing defense with that Junkyard Dog mentality. Easy win.
Game 2, @The Washington Wizards: Another day, another blowout as Cleveland wins 114-91. The Cavs were blistering hot. Porzingis started off HOT for the Wizards but Evan Mobley quickly decided he was having none of that. The Cavs offense was in a flow state, smoothly passing the ball around and giving the entire team ample opportunity to score. And score they did. Allen and Garland had 23 each. Mobley added 16, along with his typical elite defense. This team, when they’re playing like they WANT to win, is one of the most fun teams I have ever watched in my life. Elite passing. Elite scoring. NBAs best defense.
Game 3, vs The Detroit Pistons: I mean… It’s the pistons. Although they’ve won some tough games this season, they’re realistically no match at all for any competing team on their good nights. Not a shocking result, but yet another big win for Cleveland by a score of 113-85. The Cavaliers rested Donovan Mitchell AND Darius Garland, but didn’t miss a beat. Caris Levert had 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 15 points in a solid game. Raul Neto is a true warrior, dishing out 8 assists and 14 points while playing very aggressive defensively. Dean Wade scored 10 off of the bench. This game was all about the Bigs though, as Allen dropped 20 and Mobley 19, respectively. Allen nearly had a 20-20 game, grabbing 16 rebounds as well. Bogdanovic was the high man for Detroit with 14 in a game that was never competitive.
Game 4, @The New Orleans Pelicans: Another day, another cavs 10+ point win. Final score of 118-107 in Clevelands favor. Evan Mobley ate the paint alive this game, scoring 28 points with ease and grabbing 12 boards. Mitchell is BACK, having a tremendous game with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Garland landed in foul trouble early, and only played 23 minutes all game. But the Cavs didn’t need him, as they tossed the ball inside with ease and Mitchell and Levert handled the perimeter work with ease. Great defense again per usual, but Brandon Ingram is a baller and admittedly made some great, and tough shots. He scored 25 on the night for New Orleans.
Game 5, vs the Chicago Bulls: Man, the Cavs were dead tired this game. From the opening tip you could tell the back to back had them feeling exhausted. And they played like it… until they didn’t. Down by 10+ at multiple points, no deficit is too big for this Cleveland team. Oh… Evan Mobley also hit BACK TO BACK 3s?!? If he develops a solid 3 point shot, he WILL be one of the NBAs best players without a doubt. He’s already very, very good. Mitchell came alive in the second half comeback effort, and scored 29 in the process. He grabbed 10 boards as well. Garland dished out 7 assists and dropped 19 points, and Jarrett Allen was a menace inside with a Stat line of 23-10. Another day, another team the Cavs hold under 100 points. Great team effort in the come back.
All stats provided courtesy of NBA.com
John Zimmerman