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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 Takeaways from Their Back-to-Back Against Milwaukee

By Nathan Beighle

Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA;Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell (21) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA;Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell (21) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan McRae (12) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan McRae (12) warms up before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Jordan McRae Will Be the Benefit from J.R. Smith’s Absence

While he did not play in the first game as J.R. Smith tallied 17 minutes, McRae managed to find time in the second game, and it could prove crucial.

Throughout the first game, Lue repeatedly went to Shumpert and Dunleavy who combined for 3-10 shooting and 9 points in 47 minutes. In the second game alone, McRae stole the show on the bench as he put up a crucial 8 points on a effective 3-6 shooting in just 18 minutes.

While Shumpert’s minutes will stay the same, McRae will start to suck the already dismal minutes away from players like Mike Dunleavy and James Jones, but shouldn’t he? He is a young small forward who has potential to grow in this league. Both Jones and Dunleavy are older, savvy veterans who can almost be forgotten at times.

Must Read: Jordan McRae Deserves More Minutes

In both of the games that McRae has gotten over 18 minutes this season, he’s over 8 points. That type of scoring should be expected of a solid role player.

Developing McRae’s game could be the first move that the Cavaliers make to look for the future. I’d expect McRae to continue to see a spike in minutes until Smith returns from his surgery which a timetable has yet to be set for.

Tell us. Do you think McRae could eventually be a quality role player for this Cavaliers team?