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Darius Garland and Cedi Osman went full Reindeer Games to earn a Top 3 spot vs. Bucks

By Chad Porto

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 18: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers makes a running jump shot during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 18: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers makes a running jump shot during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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It was the Reindeer Games when the Cavs went hunting for the Bucks

Truthfully, I’ve never seen Reindeer Games, but it had Ben Affleck and a dude dressed as Santa Claus fully engulfed in flames. If a flaming Santa wasn’t the perfect metaphor for the Bucks’ defense against the Cavs, I don’t know what is. The Bucks didn’t have a shot, Darius Garland and Cedi Osman made all of theirs, and Milwaukee was playing without their starting five and Donte DiVincenzo.

It really wasn’t a fair fight and while Grayson Allen, Jrue Holiday, and Kris Middleton could’ve played if needed. Not having Giannis Antetokounmpo and facing the Cavs, it appears as though the Bucks just decided to eat the loss and give their guys a rest.

The Cavs will have to prove they can beat a healthy Bulls and Bucks team regularly, something they should be able to do. They whopped the Bucks 119-90 and advanced to 19-12 on the season.

Now, onto the Top 3. We’re dropping the Three Worst Performers for the time being. With how well the Cavs are playing, there’s not a lot to talk about. So I’ll bring back the three worst performers only on nights that warrant it.

The best from the Cavs going full Ben Affleck on the Bucks

(*Maybe I should watch Reindeer Games*)

The Best Three Performers

  1. Darius Garland
  2. Cedi Osman
  3. Ricky Rubio

Darius Garland missed three shots all game. What a bum (sarcasm). Garland’s offense is so key and it’s great to see him mature as a shooter without Collin Sexton taking away opportunities from him. This team moves so much better with the team as is. Garland gets the pointer for dropping 22 points and having a box +/- of +16 for the game.

For the two-pointer, Cedi Osman gets that.  He had 23 points off the bench and a box +/- of +22. His shooting has been much improved from a year ago and that continues to be a key reason why the Cavs are as good as they are.

This was a close game to pick from, as Garland, Osman, Jarrett Allen, and Kevin Love all had huge games, but ultimately Ricky Rubio gets the third slot with three points. He had 15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and a box +/- of +33, all while shooting 50% from the floor.

Yearly Standing:

  1. Jarrett Allen (34 points)
  2. Ricky Rubio (29 points)
  3. Darius Garland (28 points)
  4. Cedi Osman (22 points)
  5. (*Tie*) Lauri Markkanen (21 points)
  6. Kevin Love (20 points)
  7. Evan Mobley (14 points)
  8. *Tied* Dean Wade & Isaac Okoro (4 points)
  9. Dylan Windler (1 point)

Next. Top 3 Cavs players following the Rockets wreckage on Wednseday night. dark

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