One stud and one dud for Cavs in loss to the Bucks on Monday

Cavs stud: Lauri Markkanen

I wasn’t sure how I felt when Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff announced that Lauri Markkanen would be starting at the 3. I was worried about him on defense, but Markkanen has been really productive offensively and is shooting the ball really well of late.

This is Markkanen’s eighth game back since missing an extensive amount of time from being on the COVID-19 health and safety protocols list, but in his return, he’s scored 20 or more points in 4 of those 8 games. That includes Monday, when he had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and a block, while shooting 4-of-9 from 3 and 7-of-15 from the field.

From a shooting perspective he’s also made 4 or more three’s in 4 of the 8 games since he’s been back. It isn’t just the shooting either, Markkanen has made the most of his opportunities on the post-ups he’s been getting on the block. He doesn’t do it a ton, but he also made some plays off of drives against the Bucks as well.

I didn’t love the idea of Markkanen starting at the 3 at the beginning of the season and Markkanen will never be known as a defensive stopper. However, if he continues to give offensive production, while more importantly shooting the ball the way he’s been shooting, which is exactly what the Cavaliers need, it’s hard to argue against starting him with this version of the roster.