Cavs News: Mitchell magic, Wade hurt, top defense
The Cleveland Cavaliers are supposed to beat bad teams, but that doesn’t mean they can’t lose a game if they are not careful. Donovan Mitchell ensured that would not happen by dropping 34 points, including seven 3-pointers on the Orlando Magic last night, the critical offensive engine in a 107-96 victory.
Mitchell had seven 3-pointers, the third time he has hit that mark this season. The only player with more games with seven or more 3-pointers is Stephen Curry; that’s pretty sweet company to keep. Last season a Cavs player hit that total only four times; Kevin Love three times and Ricky Rubio once. Mitchell unlocks an entirely new dimension for the Cleveland offense.
More Cavs news
The sobering news out of Friday night’s win was that Dean Wade suffered a shoulder injury ten minutes into his night and did not return. The Cavs finally had Kevin Love and Lamar Stevens return and now face the probability of an absence from Wade. He is their best 3-and-D option and deserved to be the fifth starter; that spot might go to Stevens by default now. More information should come out today.
Back to the good news: the Cavs absolutely smothered the Orlando Magic offense, two nights after enveloping the 76ers’ too. That has brought their defense rating down to a cool 108, which is now the best in the league. Playing without Jarrett Allen the Cavs have regained their defensive identity and put the clamps on opponents.
NBA news
Khris Middleton returned for the Milwaukee Bucks last night and took part in an absolute barn-burner as the Los Angeles Lakers got 44 points from Anthony Davis to beat the Bucks 133-129 despite 40 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jimmy Butler returned for the Miami Heat and was the closer in an overtime victory over the Boston Celtics. All four of the five best teams in the East by net rating lost last night; only the Cavs came out with a win.
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Coming up: The Cavs travel to New York to face the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Today, we all wait to hear an update on Dean Wade.