After enduring a grueling stretch in their schedule that resulted in five straight losses, injuries aside, the Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the win column. Saturday night’s game was a win against the Orlando Magic, a game that the Cavs seemed to control the entire time in a 105-92 victory.
This has been the biggest improvement for the Wine and Gold team this season, in staying competitive with the upper echelon of the league like they did against the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and the Washington Wizards, while beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Orlando qualifies as one of those clubs, clearly.
But either way, discussing the game more, it was a great combination of offense and defense from the team. Continuing to display their team-first style of play, the Cavaliers had 28 assists on 41 made baskets, which included 14 made three-point shots on 39 attempts, an area they have been up and down in during the season.
The team got major contributions from Lauri Markkanen, who had his second 20-point game in three games, and Jarrett Allen continued his dominance on the interior with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. Plus, Evan Mobley had a 13-point, nine-rebound, four-block performance in his return from injury, and Allen and Mobley had three assists apiece, for what it’s worth.
The biggest contributor in yesterday’s win, however, was Darius Garland, who was the stud performer from that contest for Cleveland. He continues to get the job done for the Wine and Gold, and appears to really be coming into his own for the Cavaliers.