1 stud, 1 dud, 1 shrug from Cavs’ agonizing loss to the Clippers

1 dud from Cavs’ agonizing loss to Clippers: Darius Garland

Stating that Darius Garland had a bad game is certainly a relative ruling; he had 19 points and 12 assists, and was only -2 for the game. Isaac Okoro played 17 minutes and didn’t make a field goal, Caris LeVert was 2-for-8 and Cedi Osman was one made shot away from a 3 trillion. Yet to tell the story of this loss, you have to discuss how poorly Garland ended the game.

The reason the Cavaliers were undefeated without Garland in the starting lineup was that Donovan Mitchell has been one of the best closers in basketball this season. Even when Garland returned, he handed the baton off to Mitchell in the thrilling win over the Boston Celtics last Wednesday. Yet last night he seemed to want to find a way to close the game himself, and while he is certainly capable, the result was a disjointed offense that sputtered its way to just six points in the final five minutes.

Overall Garland shot just 8-for 17 from the field for the game, including 2-of-9 from deep. He missed multiple shots down the stretch, including an ill-advised stepback 30-footer and a layup that should have been a gimme. Even more concerning were the two turnovers, numbers four and five on the night. Terence Mann took one to the house on a pick-six, and the other immediately led into a foul to put Reggie Jackson on the line.

Garland was the only option to close games a year ago, and he often had to attempt difficult shots and risk turnovers to make anything happen. That’s not the case this year, with Mitchell every bit as capable of closing things out. Garland did some great things last night, but he also stumbled in his first attempt to carry the Cavs to the finish line.