Cavs Top 3: Darius Garland rolls on after losing Lauri Markkanen

The Cleveland Cavaliers survived the loss of Lauri Markkanen.

The Cleveland Cavaliers won on Saturday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 94-87 but if you listened to JB Bickerstaff in the post-game press conference, it sure didn’t feel like a victory. That’s actually a good thing. Bad teams don’t win when they struggle. Now part of the struggles come from the fact that forward Lauri Markkanen was injured early in the first half, forced to leave due to an ankle injury.

According to Chris Fedor, the injury was not serious and no bones were broken. Officially he has a high-ankle sprain. That’s the last thing the Cavaliers needed, who are still without Rajon Rondo and have lost Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio for the season.

Despite the loss, the Cavs persevered. They had a 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter but then the Cavaliers got sloppy and allowed the Thunder back in the game.

That wasn’t all, the game got chippy for a bit when Lou Dort threw an intentional elbow into the chest of Kevin Love and got thrown out, but not before Love wanted to have, let’s say words, with Dort.

The Cavs moved to 28-19 on the season. The Cavs had just 22 wins all of last season.

Cleveland Cavaliers hid under shelters to wait out the Thunder

 Cavs Top 3

1. Darius Garland
2. Evan Mobley
3. Jarrett Allen

The first point of the game goes to Darius Garland, who had a nice 23 points but only went 9-20 from the floor and 1-4 from three. The three-point shooting slump continues, and while Garland is able to make plays in other ways (11 assists), his ability to pull up, or catch and shoot from three is one of the reasons this team has thrived. He has to find that stroke again.

The games’ two points go to Evan Mobley, who had 15 points and 17 rebounds, with a nice box+/- of +10. His 17 rebounds is a new career-high for the rookie.

The game’s three-pointer goes to Jarrett Allen, who had 14 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. His defense helped keep the team afloat in the fourth quarter, along with Mobley.

Honorable Mention’s to Isaac Okoro, who had three steals and some solid defense all game, as well as Dean Wade, who continues to be a nice defensive reserve.

Yearly Standing:

1. (*TIE) Jarrett Allen/Darius Garland (51 points)
2. Kevin Love (38)
3. (*Tie*) Lauri Markkanen/ Ricky Rubio (32points)
4. Evan Mobley (27 points)
5.  Cedi Osman (25 points)
6. Isaac Okoro (6 points)
7. Dean Wade (5 Points)
8. Lamar Stevens (4 points)
9. Rajon Rondo (3 points)
10. Dylan Windler (1 point)