The Cavaliers need their role players to step up when called upon
By Josh Ungar
The supporting cast has been better of late, they’ll just have to be more consistent
Throughout the season, the Cavs have asked Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, but primarily Mitchell, to put on their superhero capes and lead them to victory. The Cavs needed a 40-point performance from “Spida” to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-114 in what was the biggest home game of the season thus far, until the March 31 showdown against the New York Knicks which will most likely decide who gets home court advantage, should they meet in the first round of the playoffs.
In the recent game against the Celtics, forwards Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman along with guard Caris LeVert combined for 21 points in 68 minutes of action. Stevens had eight points (17 minutes), LeVert had seven points (33 minutes), and Osman added six points (18 minutes). Stevens also grabbed eight rebounds, six of which were offensive, and LeVert had six rebounds, five of which were defensive, and four assists.
Even though none of them broke through the “double digit point barrier,” the three of them were still key contributors against the Celtics. Trailing 112-111 with approximately 2:30 remaining in OT, LeVert found Stevens in the left corner. Stevens knocked down the 3-pointer to give the Cavaliers 114-112 lead. Cleveland never relinquished that lead as they outscored Boston 9-5 in the extra session.
In the following game down in South Beach against the Miami Heat on March 8, which the Cavs won 104-100, Isaac Okoro broke through the “double digit point barrier” with 13 points. Stevens contributed six points and three rebounds, Osman registered a DNP, and LeVert had seven points and seven rebounds.
Then on Mar. 10, the Heat came back and defeated the Cavaliers 119-115, which meant the two teams split the season series 2-2 with both squads winning a game at home and on the road. Stevens had eight points and five rebounds. LeVert had 16 points as he filled in for Garland in the starting lineup. Okoro broke through the “double digit point barrier,” again as he scored 16 points. Osman added seven points. This two-game set in Miami could be a preview of a possible first round series between the Heat and Cavaliers. It could either be the three seed against the six seed or the four seed against the five seed.