Cavs: 4 stars from 4-game winning streak

The Cleveland Cavaliers couldn’t have drawn it up any better. Just past 1/8th of the season they are 7-4, with wins over five playoff teams from a year ago. After an 0-2 start to get their legs under them they have won seven of nine (shout out to the Trekkies), including a 5-2 road record in those nine games.

As they finally get to stay in the state of Ohio for a while, with eight of their next nine at home, Cleveland is ready to prove they are not a fluke team. They got to their current record, and conquered a tough early schedule, because a number of players have stepped up. Specifically over the past four games, the Cavs have gone 4-0, with wins over Charlotte, Portland, Toronto and the New York Knicks.

The Cavs are riding high after a 4-game win streak. Which 4 players deserve recognition for their play across the past week?

Everyone played a part in the winning streak, which is fitting for a team with six players averaging between 12.9 and 16 points per game. Lauri Markkanen missed the last three games in health and safety protocols, but he had his best game of the season to kick off the win streak with 21 points and eight rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets. Cedi Osman was on fire in the first three wins, hitting 13 of his 22 3-pointers (59 percent).

Dylan Windler has been hot himself, hitting 67 percent of his 3-pointers as he has made a statement to be a part of the regular rotation. Collin Sexton has had some really bad moments, but he averaged 19 points per game in the wins over Charlotte and Portland. Yet four players stand higher than the rest, and so we will recognize each in turn.

Traditionally we would hand out “three stars” but in honor of the four-game winning streak we will expand it to four. The first star goes to the team’s best all-around performer, the rookie phenom taking the league by storm.