Surging Six: These Cavs are playing great heading into All-Star break

Cavs recent standout No. 3: Darius Garland

Darius Garland has been playing at a different level in recent weeks, similarly to Allen in that way. Garland did not make the All-Star Game this go-round, but that doesn’t diminish what he’s been doing for the Cavaliers as a playmaker, shooter and surging all-level scorer.

In Garland’s last 13 games, he’s averaged 21.8 points per game on a scorching 68.0 percent true shooting clip, and he’s connected on 50.7 percent of his three-point attempts. Garland’s range, movement shooting strides, and silky smooth handle have all been on display in recent weeks, and he’s helped the Cavs run out to early leads in this current streak, and in the same breadth, shut the door on opponents.

What shouldn’t be glossed over, perhaps even more importantly, is how Garland has been setting up his Cavalier teammates for success. In that aforementioned 13-game stretch, Garland has posted 7.7 assists per game, to 2.6 turnovers.

In Cleveland’s seven-game heater, he’s had a 7.2 assist per game clip, to 3.7 turnovers, so the splits are a bit less gaudy, but he’s still had imprint all over games, and his team defensive instincts have helped the club, too.

As we touched on, Garland was not given an All-Star nod, which was a bit disappointing. Despite that, he’s been terrific for these Cavaliers, and that All-Star snub will assuredly be added motivation for him.