Cavs Top 3: Lauri Markkanen comes back in a big way despite loss

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a rough night against the Detroit Pistons.

The NBA All-Star weekend has come and gone and now it’s back to the grind, and grind it was as the Cleveland Cavaliers had a rough go against the Detroit Pistons. Not only did the team not have Darius Garland, who’s dealing with a bone bruise in his back, but they were also without Caris LeVert. That set up a rough night for the Cavs, who fell to the Pistons 106-103, and fell to 35-24, and extend their losing streak to three.

The game wasn’t all bad, however, as Lauri Markkanen returned to the squad after missing several weeks of action. He had a huge game for Cleveland, dropping 22 points on 38% shooting from inside the arc, while also hitting 8-10 from the free-throw line.

Despite Markkanen’s performance, he didn’t do enough to put the Cavs over the top, and despite the loss being bad enough, that wasn’t the end of the bad news from the Detroit Game. Cavs fans found out that Rajon Rondo is now out two weeks due to a sprained toe, further complicating the Cavaliers’ rotation. Injuries have been the story of the year for this squad. Right when they get something going, things start to get more complicated.

Cavs Top 3

1. Brandon Goodwin
2. Jarrett Allen
3. Lauri Markkanen

The first point on the night goes to Brandon Goodwin, who had 15 points while hitting 50% from the floor. With the Cavs being so short-handed against the Pistons, any little bit from any of the bench players was greatly appreciated.

The All-Star Jarrett Allen posted 11 points and eight rebounds, posting a +6 for the game, one of the few Cavaliers who posted in the positive side of the game’s BPM. That’s why Allen gets the two points for the game.

The three-points of the game go to the returning Markkanen, who posted a solid night of shooting but couldn’t carry the team to a win. Coupled that with injured stars missing the game, even his 22 points and six rebounds weren’t going to be enough to close this out.

Yearly Standing:

1. Darius Garland (63 points)
2. Jarrett Allen (62points)
3. Kevin Love (53)
4. (*Tie) Lauri Markkanen/ Evan Mobley (35 points)
5. Ricky Rubio (32points)
6. Cedi Osman (29 points)
7. (*Tie*) Dean Wade/Isaac Okoro (10 points)
8. Dean Wade (7 Points)
9. Rajon Rondo (6 points)
10. Lamar Stevens (4 points)
11. Brandon Goodwin (3 points)
12. (*Tie*) Caris LeVert/Dylan Windler (1 point)