1 stud and 1 dud for the Cavs in their win over the Blazers on Friday

It’s been a very eventful couple of weeks for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Multiple injuries, COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and a trade had shaken up the team, leading to funky games as of late.

The Cavs were only able to secure a win in one of their last five games but Friday night’s bounce-back win against the Portland Trail Blazers helps to put the team back on track.

Against a depleted Trail Blazers team without the likes of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and former Cleveland forward Larry Nance Jr., it was the perfect time for the Cavs to get Cedi Osman, who had missed time in health and safety protocols, back in the rotation as well as get newly-acquired trade acquisition Rajon Rondo acclimated with the team. The two were the main bucket getters off the bench, scoring 25 of the team’s 39 points from that unit, with Osman having a big fourth quarter from three-point range.

Looking at the game as a whole, despite a resilient fight from Portland, the Cavaliers were still able to come away with a comfortable win due to timely runs and steady contributions. Looking at statistics, six of the nine players to play in Friday night’s game scored in double figures for the Wine and Gold.

The leading scorer in this last win was none other than Darius Garland, who was the stud of this latest victory for the Cavs, and looked to be in great command as a lead playmaker and key scorer for the team throughout the contest.