Cavs Top 3: Cedi Osman is the way as Cleveland Cavaliers clip the Atlanta Hawks’ wings

The Cleveland Cavaliers saw Cedi Osman go off on the Atlanta Hawks.

As The Mandolorian always stated, “this is the way”, and by “this” we mean Cedi Osman. “Cedi Osman” is the way.  It’s undeniable that when he’s hitting off the bench, the Cavaliers are untouchable. Now, he’s not “the guy” on the team, but he is the guy that puts the team over the top.

Osman’s last two games are proof that when he’s used, given his shots, and his hitting, he puts the Cavs in a different place offensively. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are great, but no team historically can win with just two guys.

When Osman is off or not being used as we saw against the Hornets three games back, the Cavs struggle. A LaMelo Ball-less Hornets squad took the Cavs into the deep waters of two overtimes and nearly knocked them off. With Osman clicking, the Cavs blew out a, granted, short-handed Heat squad and a fully loaded Hawks squad.

That’s not a coincidence.

The Cavs needed all they could get from him too. Dean Wade is still out, and he’s a good stretch shooter, Caris LeVert was out, and his playmaking has become very important. Then you had Kevin Love, who played but in limited action due to a fractured finger.

To say the team needed Osman to be his very best self in the last two games isn’t untrue. The Cavs are once again rolling, on a three-game winning streak having knocked off the Hawks on Monday 114-102.

They’ll now face the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday.

Cleveland Cavaliers top 3 vs. the Atlanta Hawks

1 Point – Darius Garland

Both Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell had to contend with Dejounte Murray on Monday, and both had a nice outing.  Garland had 26 points, nine assists, and a BPM of +8

2 Points – Cedi Osman

Cedi Osman is having a career year, with him having near-career highs in every relevant shooting category except his field goal percentage, which is only slightly off his all-time mark of 48.4 (48.3 currently). Feed Osman more, as he’s proven he’s worth the effort. He finished the Hawks with 23 points, all on great efficiency while pulling down three rebounds and finishing with a BPM of +9.

3 Points –Donovan Mitchell

As with Garland, Mitchell had to contend with Murray, one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and still went off for 29 points, nine assists, and three steals; though he wasn’t at the same efficiency as Garland. Still, he finished with a BPM of +14 for the game.

Cavs Top 3 Seasonal Standings

1. Donovan Mitchell – 29 Points
2. Darius Garland – 18 Points
3. Cedi Osman & Jarrett Allen – 12 Points
4. Evan Mobley & Kevin Love – 10 Points
5. Caris LeVert – 5 points
6. Dean Wade  – 3 Points
7. Isaac Okoro – 1 Point