Cavs Top 3: Lauri Markkanen helps lead way in fourth quarter comeback

Cleveland Cavaliers come alive in fourth behind Lauri Markkanen.

Lauri Markkanen struggled for three quarters but helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a massive comeback against the Washington Wizards. He scored only nine points from the floor in the first three quarters combined, before putting up another nine from behind the line in the fourth quarter alone. He also went 5-6 from the free-throw line, ensuring that the Cavaliers somehow got the win despite being down most of the game.

The Cavaliers struggled all game, in part due to the massive swath of injuries that they’re dealing with. It wasn’t just the loss of Darius Garland, but the combined loss of Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo that had the Cavaliers struggling for some consistency from the point guard position.

Brandon Goodwin, filling in for the injured players ahead of him, had an awful night shooting the ball. He went just 2-11, but he played solid defense and contributed in other ways, pulling down five rebounds and putting up six assists.

Kevin Love struggled from the floor as well, going just 1-10 against the Wizards in an uncharacteristically awful shooting night. The shooting struggles of Love and Goodwin hindered the team’s performance.

Despite that, the Cavs were able to put together a strong fourth quarter behind Markkanen and Jarrett Allen and capped off the game with a 92-86 win over the Wizards. With that victory, the Cavaliers moved to 36-24.

Lauri Markkanen helped put the Cleveland Cavaliers over the top

Cavs Top 3

1. Tie – Cedi Osman and Evan Mobley
2. Jarrett Allen
3. Lauri Markkanen

It’s hard to decide who was more noteworthy. Cedi Osman carried the bulk of the scoring before the fourth and Evan Mobley was a defensive standout who posted a double-double. At the end of the day, it’s my list and I can decide to give both men points, so each player will get one point for their win over the Wizards.

The two points of the game go to Jarrett Allen, who is continuing to show everyone that he is making a case for being the second-best center in the East. He finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals in a dominating performance.

The three points once again go to Lauri Markkanen for his fourth-quarter output. The Cavaliers needed all of his 23 points, but he also contributed by with six rebounds and some solid defense.

Yearly Standing:

1. Jarrett Allen (64 points)
2. Darius Garland (63 points)
3. Kevin Love (53)
4. Lauri Markkanen (38)
5. Evan Mobley (36 points)
6. Ricky Rubio (32points)
7. Cedi Osman (30 points)
8. (*Tie*) Dean Wade/Isaac Okoro (10 points)
9. Dean Wade (7 Points)
10. Rajon Rondo (6 points)
11. Lamar Stevens (4 points)
12. Brandon Goodwin (3 points)
13. (*Tie*) Caris LeVert/Dylan Windler (1 point)