Following a 1-3 start to the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have steadied the ship to the tune of 8-7. The Cavaliers have fought injury struggles since the start of the season and now see key players Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro deal with injuries.
Key Wins For Cavaliers
Despite being bit with the injury bug early, Cleveland has mustered some impressive wins, including a four-game win streak prior to Wednesday’s loss to Miami. With statement wins over the Nuggets and 76ers in back-to-back games, the Cavs appear to be back as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The biggest difference in the Cavs’ performance has been the brand of team basketball the Cavaliers have played while dealing with injury. With Darius Garland leading the way alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland has displayed their most complete offensive showings, scoring 120 or more points in two of their last three contests.
Emerging Young Stars
Evan Mobley is emerging as a true double-double threat, posting averages of 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen is finally healthy and boasted an impressive 26-point, 13-rebound outing in Cleveland’s big win over Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Another young star is budding in Cleveland as rookie Craig Porter is emerging as a key reserve for the squad. Porter has made noise with his efficient play offensively and has progressively earned more minutes on his way to notching his first career start versus Miami on Wednesday. In his first start, Porter posted a team-high 16 points, shooting an efficient 6-12 from the field and 2-5 from behind the arc.
Cavaliers Moving Forward
The 8-7 record may not be world-beating but the Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a tear as of late, winning five of their last seven matchups. The team is getting hot at the right time and will only get better as they get healthier. The Cavaliers look onto a key matchup versus the Lakers as they go on the road. It might not be a perfect start but there’s a lot to be thankful for, for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans.
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