Cavs Top 3: Ricky Rubio debuts and helps the Cleveland Cavaliers surge to a major win

The Cleveland Cavaliers saw Ricky Rubio return in a bit-time clash with the Portland Trail Blazers

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a major win on the road Thursday night, taking down the Portland Trail Blazers 119-113, and outscored the Blazers by 10 in the 4th to help secure the team’s 27th win on the season. The win on its own would be a big deal, as the Blazers are more competitive than fans expected. It was made even more impressive by the return of Ricky Rubio, who made his season debut for the Cavs in the win.

Rubio, who missed a full year due to a torn ACL, returned to the Cavs in a bit way. While he only played 10 minutes, he went 3-5 from the floor, scored nine points, and had three rebounds and an assist while posting a box plus-minus of +6. It was a small taste of what fans can expect from the veteran point guard.

While Rubio was the headliner, Jarrett Allen did his best Nikola Jokic impersonation, dolling out six assists on the night, the most he’s ever had as a member of the Cavaliers. Beyond that, the usual suspects did the usual suspect things, but we’d be remiss to not mention Isaac Okoro. Through January so far, he’s hitting nearly 50% of his shots from the floor, while hitting over 50% of his three’s.

With the return of Rubio and an apparent improvement of Okoro throughout the season, a wing may not be as big of a need as previously thought.

Cleveland Cavaliers top 3 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers

1 Point – Evan Mobley

25 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +6 BPM
.500/.000/.833

2 Points – Donovan Mitchell

36 minutes, 26 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, +10 BPM
.478/.250/.800

3 Points – Jarrett Allen

39 minutes, 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, +7 BPM
.647/.000/1.000

Cavs Top 3 Seasonal Standings

1. Donovan Mitchell –54 Points
2. Darius Garland – 43 Points
3. Evan Mobley – 29 Points
4. Cedi Osman – 28 Points
5. Jarrett Allen – 25 points
6. Caris LeVert & Kevin Love – 18 Points
7. Isaac Okoro – 9 Points
8. Dean Wade – 3 Points
9. Lamar Stevens & Raul Neto – 2 Points