5 insane stats from Cavs statement win over Celtics

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Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images /

Cavs win four-in-a-row without Darius Garland

Last season, Darius Garland was the offensive engine for the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially after Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio went down. He was carrying the Cavs on his back, responsible for creating nearly every advantage in the halfcourt the Cavs found all year.

That showed in the Cavs’ success without him. Last season when Garland was on the court, the Cavs outscored teams by seven points per 100 possessions per Cleaning the Glass, and scored in the 73rd percentile leaguewide. When he was off the court, the Cavs had a -6.8 differential and scored in the 15th percentile leaguewide.

This season, with Darius Garland missing all but 13 minutes to start the season, has been incredibly different. The incredible scoring of Donovan Mitchell and the improvements of Caris LeVert have carried the Cavs through his absence. Instead of faltering, they have soared, winning four-straight games with Garland sidelined.

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The Cavs’ victory on Friday night was a statement win, an announcement of the two-way force now residing in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert were incandescent, the Celtics were forced out of their best lineups, and the team is rolling even without Garland. What a night.