Cavs News: 4th quarter surge, Green interest, CLE-PHI flexed in

On Saturday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers just couldn’t seem to get it going for a significant portion of their contest versus the  Chicago Bulls.

Cleveland was down by nine at halftime, and only mustered 40 points in the first two quarters. For much of the contest, the Cavs couldn’t buy a three-point shot it seemed, and in the game, shot only 25.7 percent from deep.

It was the second leg of a back-to-back following their impressive win over the New Orleans Pelicans, sure, but the Cavaliers weren’t getting out of their own way to some extent.

The Cavs stayed the course, though, and eventually, their defensive efforts paid off, and Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen helped the team surge ahead in the fourth quarter. Those two players had 29 and 23 points, respectively, and despite the bench only combining for five points, guys such as Ricky Rubio and Caris LeVert did provide a defensive lift. Rubio’s playmaking was a big help, too, and he registered five assists.

So, even with the Cavaliers trailing most of the game, they would step up when it mattered most down the stretch, and in the fourth, they had a different gear. Then, they outscored the Bulls 28-15, en route to a 97-89 victory, and the groups’ sixth straight.

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The Cavaliers didn’t end up making a trade deadline move this week, but Cleveland could be in line for a buyout addition. With that being the case, it appears there could be a reunion between the Cavs and veteran wing Danny Green.

The Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly the type of teams with “great interest” in pursuing Green via the buyout market, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. If Green is bought out by the Houston Rockets, or waived, look for the Cavaliers to possibly sign him in that sense.

Green originally was a rookie with the Cavs in 2009-10, and played sparingly with Cleveland as a rookie. Since, he’s had a rock solid career, and is most notably, a three-time NBA champ with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Green, who was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Memphis Grizzlies this past offseason, and was since moved via three-team trade to Houston at the deadline, would bring added veteran leadership and could provide a shooting boost if he find his rhythm. He’s barely played this season due to injury recovery, but for his career, has hit 39.9 percent from three; time will tell regarding what plays out with the 35-year-old wing.

Another piece of relevant Cavaliers news came by way of an NBA programming schedule change. With both clubs surging, and the Brooklyn Nets having a drastically different outlook, the Cavs-Philadelphia 76ers game on Wednesday was moved to the national slot on ESPN, via Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.

The Wine and Gold are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, and the Sixers are now in third. Both teams have their share of star power, and the league understands how this is the feel of a playoff-type atmosphere feasibly in Philly.

The Cavaliers have been impressive on the national stage so far this season, and they’ll have another chance to prove themselves once again against Joel Embiid, James Harden and company.

NBA news

One of the more notable stat lines from Saturday night was that from Nikola Jokic, which is never shocking. Jokic had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ win over the Charlotte Hornets on the road.

Jokic is always going to accumulate his share of production, but him having 20 triple-doubles thus far has put him in elite company, and once again, he’s right in the thick of the MVP conversation. He of course has won the past two league MVPs.

With his 20th triple-double of the season, anyway, he joined a list of just five players to have that 20-plus of those in a single season, per NBA History.

The Joker is one of the driving forces behind the Nuggets being in first in the Western Conference, and has a real case for a third straight MVP.

Next Up: The Cavs will take on the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night at home.