One stud and one dud for Cavs in win over Pacers on Sunday

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Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /

Lately it’s been tough sledding for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s mainly because they’ve played the last several games without potential All-Star point guard Darius Garland. Things got even tougher when they lost Ricky Rubio for the season. The vast inexperience the Cavs have recently gotten from guard play is the biggest reason for their recent struggles and they’re right now just trying to get by until Garland/recent trade acquisition Rajon Rondo get into the lineup.

Granted, in Cleveland’s win on Sunday night over the Indiana Pacers, Indiana had quite a few guys out and it looked pretty clear the Cavaliers were trying to force the Pacers to beat them from deep, but to the Pacers credit most of the night they were able to do that. They shot 19-of-47 from three-point range for the game (40.4 percent), although only 44 percent for the game. The Pacers had a pretty big edge in the three-point department but the Cavs were able to make up for that inside the paint. Cleveland outscored Indiana there 58-26.

Again the inexperience at guard has really hurt the Cavs the past few games, but that hasn’t stopped the play from some of their frontcourt players. This was Jarrett Allen’s second game back from COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and he was sensational. Allen had another double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting 6-of-12 from the field overall, and he tacked on two blocks.

Plus, Kevin Love continued his hot shooting that he displayed throughout December, of which KJG’s John Suchan highlighted, and in Cleveland’s first game of 2022, Love showed how he could quite possibly be pushing for Sixth Man of the Year. Love eclipsed the 20-point mark again with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while shooting 3-of-6 from deep and 6-of-13 overall.

This is a game the Cavs really needed and had to find a way to gut through with still some key guys out. With that said, he’ll we’ll take a closer look at one stud and one dud from this 108-104 win over the Pacers.