CLEVELAND, Ohio – Take a good look at the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was on full display against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, taking down a playoff team with a pair of All-Stars.
The Cavs broke their four-game losing streak, beating the Celtics 117-110 in their first game after a terrible, uncompetitive 0-3 trip.
Boston entered the night with five wins from seven games. His two All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown shone in the second half, adding 45 of their 57 points. But the Cavs resisted the attack and fought, not succumbing to adversity this time.
Collin Sexton. Darius Garland. Isaac Okoro. Larry Nance Jr. Jarrett Allen. This is the 20th starting team used this season and the nucleus of the team advancing. The quintet combined 94 points from the team on Wednesday night.
Sexton, the barometer of success, led the way with 29 points out of 10 out of 20 shots, 2 out of 5 in the 3 point range and 7 out of 7 on the foul line, his best performance since the All-Star break interrupted his – and that of the team – momentum. Garland drew his career high, scoring 25 points, six assists and four rebounds. The frequently criticized backcourt almost matched Tatum and Brown’s total output.
“They remained balanced,” said Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff, of Sexton and Garland. “They were never accelerated, they were never frustrated, they kept their composure, they thought about tonight’s game. They read what the defense was doing and then made the right moves from there. “
Nance started in place of wounded Kevin Love once again. Nance made a double-double, drawing his best season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Newcomer Isaac Okoro also reached double digits, scoring 15 points, including seven in the fourth period, putting an exclamation point on his big night with a thunderous dunk over Tatum late. Allen scored seven points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.
With about two minutes to go, as the Celtics put pressure on the Cavs, Garland received a defensive rebound and sent a pass to Okoro. The novice flew to the basket, threw it on the floor and flexed. It was one of the highlights of his damn first season. This gave Cavs a necessary cushion, pushing the lead to nine points.
“That was the obstacle right there,” said Garland. “He managed to get the crowd to rise. He put us on our feet. We knew it was the game after that. I just had to make a few more stops and it was over. “
This is the type of game that fans should get used to, as Okoro continues to make positive strides in attack and Garland has risen in his second season.
Wednesday seemed like a sign of what was to come.
“For us, it’s all about belief and trust,” said Bickerstaff. “Since we talk about growing and all that, that’s fine, but the results at the end of the day will give confidence and confidence to the crowd. So, giving people the belief that they can is the most important thing we need to move on. “
Matthew Dellavedova approaching
Dellavedova was back at the bank supporting his teammates on Wednesday night. And he is moving better after an appendectomy. Dellavedova, who has yet to play this season, dealing with a severe concussion first, has released the league’s concussion protocol. He is making progress and Bickerstaff is waiting for him back “sooner or later”. A source told cleveland.com that Dellavedova plans to train on Saturday.
Late return
Tristan Thompson was supposed to make his first appearance in Cleveland since signing with the Celtics as an unrestricted free agent this off-season. But he was excluded from Tuesday night’s clash against Utah Jazz because of the league’s health and safety protocols and then inactive again on Wednesday. The Celtics are due to make another visit to Cleveland on May 12.
Next
The Cavs will continue their homestand on Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs. The complaint is scheduled for 7:30 pm
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New Cavs face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed facial covers for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charities.
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