The Cleveland Cavaliers have played better in their last two games, which were both close losses. In those games, rookie Collin Sexton has been good as the starting point guard, and not being paired with Jordan Clarkson has been big for him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are not going to be winning many games, but figuring out their rotation is still crucial for them. Veteran point guard George Hill is sidelined with a reported right shoulder strain until potentially the end of next week, and that’s put rookie point guard Collin Sexton in a starting role. He’s played well over the last two games as the PG 1, with a team-leading 17.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting, and he’s gaining valuable experience with 38.0 minutes per game (also leading the team), per NBA.com. Not being on the court at the same time with Jordan Clarkson as much has been a key factor for Sexton having more success, too.
When those two have been on the floor together this season, which has been 17.5 minutes per game, the Cavs are shooting just 41.1 percent, which is not great. Of Cleveland two-man lineups that have played at least five games together with an average of at least 10.0 minutes per game, that shooting percentage is Cleveland’s second-worst, and their plus-minus is the worst, per NBA.com. It’s simple, really: both Sexton and Clarkson are at their best when they have the ball.
Clarkson and Sexton have shown glimpses of catch-and-shoot ability, though, and Sexton was two-of-three from three-point range last night against the Chicago Bulls. That being said, both of those players are the most effective with the ball in their hands and getting into the paint and mid-range area with their speed and explosion.
In Sexton’s last game (his second start), he had 20 points on eight-of-16 from the field to go with three assists and just one turnover. Clearly, with Rodney Hood most of the time as his running mate at the 2, he could run the show more, and the spacing was better.
Hood had 20 points on seven-of-15 shooting himself, and those two should be Cleveland’s starting perimeter tandem the rest of the season. Both can make things happen for themselves and are improving in making plays for others, whereas with Clarkson next to Sexton especially, it minimizes the impact of the other perimeter player with Clarkson (a ball-stopper and less willing passer) running the offense.
Head coach Larry Drew needs to keep allowing Sexton to run more with the starters, and not be paired up with Clarkson, who is tough to play with another high-usage guard.