What we learned from the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-88 victory over Detroit

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Dwyane Wade
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Dwyane Wade /
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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Jose Calderon #81 of the Cleveland Cavaliers posts up against the Detroit Pistons on November 20, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Jose Calderon #81 of the Cleveland Cavaliers posts up against the Detroit Pistons on November 20, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jose Calderon can give meaningful minutes.

Signing Calderon on the first day of free agency was one of the most baffling things the Cavs did this off-season. He hasn’t provided much for Cleveland this year, but that changed Monday night.

Calderon got the start due to the plethora of injuries and he made the most of his chance. Calderon finished with 14 points on 2 of 2 shooting from three with 2 assists. He moved the offense and played with energy on defense. That’s all you can ask for from your third string point guard.

With Shumpert out for up to a week, we’ll probably see Calderon start on Wednesday against the Nets and Friday against the Hornets.

Dwyane Wade’s good games are the norm and not the exception. 

Wade finished with only 8 points in the win, but his role for the team can’t be overstated. He has shown that he is the second best playmaker on the team and still has a lot to offer on the defensive end.

The second unit has been the most impressive aspect of this team so far and Wade has been their leader. His play with the second unit is a big reason why the Cavs are on this five-game winning streak. They don’t win most of those games if the second unit doesn’t come in and set the tempo night after night.