One stud and one dud for Cavs in big win over Nets

With the NFL’s Wild-Card weekend taking up nearly all of the long weekend, it’s almost as if the surging Cleveland Cavaliers took a back seat. Well, this past MLK Day afternoon they did their best to put that idea to rest.

In a matchup with the Kevin Durant-less Brooklyn Nets, the Cavs pulled out a huge win 114-107. Darius Garland led the way for the Cavaliers, recording his second double-double in as many games. He’s also recorded a double-double in four of the last five Cavalier games. Isaac Okoro was a boost on the wing, and he finished with 15 points, shooting a very efficient 5-of-7 from the field. Rookie Evan Mobley led the team in minutes, and finished with 37. He scored 12 points, and grabbed six rebounds, while also blocking one shot.

However, finishing perfect from the field and the foul line, was Jarrett Allen, who’s becoming more and more of a steal from the James Harden trade last season. Kevin Love was vital off the bench once again, dropping 14 points on 3-of-8 shooting.

Overall the win on Monday, combined with a loss from the Philadelphia 76ers, bumped the Cavs up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They are now only two games back of the Chicago Bulls, who are currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference.

If you told most Cavs fans that they would be in fourth place in the Eastern Conference in the middle of January, they would have spit out their coffee and laughed in your face. The only real let-down of the day, was Cedi Osman, who was 0-of-6 from the three-point line. It’s a bit troubling, considering how well he’s shot for much of the season. He’s now 0-of-8 from three in the Cavs last two games, and his season three-point percentage has dipped below 39 percent on the year.

With that being said, the Cavs are playing fantastic this season, and are actually very fun to watch. Now, let’s take a look at one stud, and one dud from Monday’s huge win.