Recap: Cavs 116, Wizards 101 (or, Darius the Great)
Tonight the Cleveland Cavaliers served another basketball clinic this time in the nation’s capital, with an emphatic 116-101 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Cavs dominated the game from the second quarter on by being the most unselfish and most competitive team on the floor tonight, outrebounding the Wizards 54-33 and outassisting them 30-21. The Cavs completed a historic road trip with a 3-0 record against three opponents with over .500 records, which hadn’t been accomplished since 1975! Let’s dive in on the game’s takeaways…
1. Darius the Great’s masterpiece
This was perhaps Darius Garland’s greatest performance as a Cavalier, putting up a 32 points, 10 assists double double and eight rebounds and a steal to boot. He led all Cavs in net rating for the game with an astounding +38.7 in 34 minutes on the court. He’s starting to learn how to control the game, when to pass, when to score, where the mismatches are… Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he’s starting to play “the game within the game.” Darius Garland is literally breaking out before everyone’s eyes, enjoy how beautiful it is.
2. Jarrett Allen entering the All-NBA conversation?
Allen punctuated his recent tear by dropping a 28 points, 13 rebounds double double along with three stocks and a +22.6 net rating. He terrorized the Wizards in the pick and roll and completely dominated his matchup against one of the better front courts in the NBA, with Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell. JA will get another chance to establish himself in the national conversation of best centers in the NBA by going against Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz Sunday afternoon, that will be must watch TV!
3. NBA Champion Kevin Love Sixth Man of the Year campaign starts now
KLOVE is becoming a fantastic offensive weapon off the bench with 13 points, nine rebounds (four offensive rebounds), two assists, and +9.1 net rating. In 93 minutes this season, Evan Mobley and Kevin Love are a +12.90 net rating on the court together. One of the biggest pleasures this season has been to see a reinvigorated, joyful Kevin Love in a Cavs uniform balling out and winning with the “kids.” No one can question the type of leadership Love has provided this season, sacrificing minutes and touches for the betterment of the team. Having competitors such as Love that just want to win has the team believing they can compete with any team in the NBA.
4. Evan Mobley’s shot not falling? No problem
Even though Mobley didn’t have the shot falling, he found other ways to impact the game because he’s the consummate team player and winner. Three blocks, four assists, seven rebounds, and a +23.0 net rating… that’s winning basketball. The maturity and mental toughness this young man has is special.
5. “These guys aren’t satisfied”
This was the quote from Coach J.B. Bickerstaff regarding the mood currently in the locker room. It’s the perfect response to the early season success the Cavs have had to start the year. They could easily be satisfied with being a .500 team, but they understand the moment and are seizing the opportunity. Currently, the Cavs are a top eight team in the NBA in point differential, yet they’re ranked the seventh youngest team in the NBA. So not only are the Cavs on the cusp of the elite teams in the NBA, they’re plenty of room for internal growth on the roster.
6. Quick note on the Wizards
What a disasterclass for the Wizards… the Wizards’ starters collectively got their asses handed to them. CtB’s own Evil Genius has decreed them fraudulent and it’s hard to disagree after that kind of performance. In spite of a winning record, the Wizards now have a negative point differential. If there’s a team due for a regression, it’s the Wizards. The lone bright spot was some of their bench, specifically Deni Avdija and Davis Bertans. The Wizards seem doomed to the treadmill of mediocrity, which begs the question: do they blow it up?
7. Next up, a brutal stretch
The Cavs will embark on a five games in seven days stretch, including the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, and Central Division rival Chicago Bulls. If the Cavs can pull off a 2-3 record this week, reasonable minds would consider that a win. But, when asked if the Cavs dream J.B. laughed and replied, “Yes, we do let our guys dream…”