1 stud and 1 dud for Cavs from their loss to Spurs on Monday

Cavs stud: Caris LeVert

In a game that had to have been head-scratching for many Cavs fans, with how the Spurs controlled the game for the vast majority of the first three quarters, I have to give LeVert his due for being a bright spot throughout the night.

LeVert is definitely a guy who has had his ups and downs this season, and is now coming off the bench, typically, but at times, he still has shown he can provide a noteworthy spark for this Cleveland team.

That was on display on Monday night, as LeVert had 23 points on nine-of-13 from the field, to go with three assists (albeit to two turnovers). He was getting some of his pull-ups to go, and him, along with Mitchell, who had 28 points, were the two guys that kept the Cavs semi-afloat enough to eventually try to circle the wagons late and make a run.

As it pertained to LeVert, he was attacking, getting downhill in secondary transition, utilizing the change-of-pace and meaningful body control at the basket he’s shown at times when he’s at his best in his role with Cleveland. His secondary playmaking and hustle plays shouldn’t go unnoticed, either.

He, along with most of the Wine and Gold, couldn’t get three balls to fall (he was one-of-four), however, LeVert’s aggression, but also more under control play on Monday led to him having success often. Him being a team-high plus-14 in the game, largely given the Cavs’ fourth quarter near-comeback effort, of which he was a central figure, was telling, too. So props to him.