CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers holders were forced to carry a heavy load this season. On Monday night, they collapsed under that weight, wasting the opportunity for a second consecutive victory.
The Cavs lost to the Sacramento Kings 119-105. It is Cleveland’s sixth defeat in the last eight games.
Seven minutes later, with Cavs losing 24-17, unable to contain the dribbling penetration and generously giving up 3 points and layups, coach JB Bickerstaff had seen enough. Infuriated by the sloppy start, Bickerstaff took all five games – Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Larry Nance Jr. and Jarrett Allen. Mass replacements worked. Temporarily.
“We were looking for a spark,” said Bickerstaff. “I think it was one of those nights for our initial group and we were just trying to find something to move. I thought JaVale (McGee) got off the bench and gave us great minutes, Cedi (Osman) and those guys too. We just, understandably, sometimes you just don’t have it. Tonight was one of those nights. “
Led by the reserves, the Cavs kept the score close, losing by just four points in the interval, 63-59. The starting group came back to open the third quarter. Cleveland’s chances are gone. Sacramento scored 14 consecutive points at the beginning of the quarter, turning a small four-point lead into an 18-point lead.
Bickerstaff called on his backups for one last push. The Cavs were less than eight at the 9:27 mark of the fourth inning. They couldn’t get any closer.
Cleveland starters were outnumbered by 103-53. A battle of exciting young defenses was not contested tonight. Advantage: Reis.
De’Aaron Fox accumulated 30 points, the best mark in the game, repeatedly beating all defenders in the dribble. Fox made 13 of 23 field shots, with six rebounds and six assists. Rookie Tyrese Haliburton, whom Cavs – and many others – passed the draft, dropping to 12th choice, added 28 points in 36 minutes. Center Richaun Holmes got the better of Allen, scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds. Sniper Buddy Hield scored 19 points, including five out of 3 points.
Darius Garland, who entered the game questionably because of an injured quad, and Collin Sexton, the team’s top scorer, added just 32 points out of 12 out of 30 shots. This is usually not a formula for success.
“I feel like if I’m scoring, it opens everything up for just about everyone else, because they’re starting to get easy pitches as soon as I get into pick and roll, everyone starts to get in and that makes the job easier for everyone else – said Sexton. “So I have to be better at this end and I just have to make a few shots. Tonight I lost some just looking for the foul, but I have to be sure that I will play against the foul and get back to the subject. I don’t feel like they did anything special tonight that I haven’t seen before. I just have to take my shots down. “
JaVale McGee was one of the few good points. At the center of commercial rumors, in what could be one of his final games in a Cavaliers uniform, McGee gave the rest of the NBA something to think about. He scored 18 points, the best of the season, with nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
“He’s impactful on both ends,” said Bickerstaff. “His energy is contagious. He’s leading the group. I was extremely pleased with him tonight. “
Altogether, the Cavs added 52 points on the bench. I wasn’t with them this time.
Still missing
The Cavs were again without three alternative players expected, as Kevin Love, Matthew Dellavedova and Taurean Prince were inactive. Love has now lost five consecutive games with persistent pain in his right calf that cost him 33 games before the All-Star break. He returned to the first two fights after the All-Star break, but hasn’t played since. Dellavedova, still unprepared this season because of a severe concussion and appendectomy, is still on track to debut next week. Dellavedova did a workout before the game. The same happened with Prince, who has lost 13 of the last 15 games due to ankle and shoulder injuries.
Next
The Cavs hit the road for four games – starting in Chicago on Wednesday night. Delivery is scheduled for 20h
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