One stud and one dud for Cavs in brutal loss to Jazz on Sunday

Cavs stud: Darius Garland

Darius Garland is finally proving he’s the true floor general and leader on the court when he’s in the game. This year he’s averaging nearly 20 points per game, while shooting 47 percent from the field. On top of that, he’s also dishing out seven assists per game this season. Yesterday, he was simply sensational.

Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was on fire yesterday, but Garland matched him nearly basket for basket. Garland finished the game with 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting. However his team defense is where we are really seeing him take his game to that second level.

Yesterday, Garland nabbed four steals versus a good Jazz team. That’s not unheard of, but it’s not surprising considering Garland does so many things for the Cavaliers. I also, minus the end of the game, am very impressed by the confidence in Garland, and the self-awareness to know that without his Sexton in the lineup, it’s his turn to show you that he’s maturing very fast early in his career.

Now, I would have preferred he tried to attack to basket in the closing seconds of the game. Especially so considering the “Twin Towers” will be down there ready to grab a rebound or loose ball.

While the shot did miss, it wasn’t that off the mark. I am fully confident in saying that Garland is the best player on the Cavs roster right now, echoing our own Will Holtz’s sentiment. So in moments like those, I would not want anyone else to have the ball in their hands, than the point guard from Gary, Indiana.