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Cavs Top 3: Isaac Okoro has best game of the year in loss to the 76ers

By Chad Porto

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 04: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 125-119. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 04: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 125-119. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers couldn’t lock down the perimeter against the 76ers.

It was one of the most complete offensive games the Cleveland Cavaliers played all year, yet the lack of Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo (namely Rondo) absolutely hurt the Cavs in their Friday night loss to the 76ers. The lack of good perimeter defense sunk the defense and the Cavs couldn’t keep pace with Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the rest of the 76ers. It didn’t help that Harden was getting every call but that’s his game, and it’s weak sauce.

Tyrese Maxey and Georges Niang went 10-14 from behind the arc, really stretching the Cavs’ defense. Isaac Okoro did the best he could but he was on Harden most of the game, and he can only do so much. That’s where the defensive skills of Rondo would’ve been helpful and LeVert at least has the length to give some guys fits.

Okoro had a great game overall, however, and while the Cavs lost 125-119, they looked good battling it out with the 76ers. The team is now 36-27 on the season and in the worst stretch of the year, dropping six of their last seven. They have Toronto on Sunday.

Related Story. Cavs Top 3: Darius Garland dazzled but Cleveland’s defense fizzled. light

Isaac Okoro had his most complete game of the year for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavs Top 3

  1. Darius Garland
  2. Jarrett Allen
  3. Isaac Okoro

Darius Garland’s 26 points and 19 assists game was an impressive feat, and while he didn’t play defense as well as needed, the Cavs had a hot start and were right in it until the end against a very good 76ers team and a lot of that was due to Garland, that’s why he gets the first point.

The second point goes to Jarrett Allen, who had 20 points and seven rebounds on 9-11 shooting. While you can only do so much against Joel Embiid, Allen did an admiral job down low against him.

The three-pointer of the game goes to Isaac Okoro for his impressive outing of 22 points on 7-8 shooting, while posting a team-high BPM of +7, tying with Lauri Markkanen. Okoro’s defense is invaluable and if the team can get more 20-point performances out of him, the Cavs will be a scary team to beat come the playoffs.

Yearly Standing:

  1. Jarrett Allen (68 points)
  2. Darius Garland (67 points)
  3. Kevin Love (56)
  4. Lauri Markkanen (39)
  5. Evan Mobley (37 points)
  6. (*Tie*) Cedi/OsmanRicky Rubio (32points)
  7. Isaac Okoro (13 points)
  8. Dean Wade (10 points)
  9. Rajon Rondo (6 points)
  10. Lamar Stevens (4 points)
  11. Brandon Goodwin (3 points)
  12. (*Tie*) Caris LeVert/Dylan Windler (1 point)

Next. Are Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the Top 10 of their positions?. dark

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