Very important win as the Cavs can now manage their starters' minutes for the last two games. The Cavs showed tremendous will and tenacity as they held the Magic to just one field goal in the last four minutes.
Mitchell carried them offensively with help from LeVert. Garland, Mobley, and Allen pitched in. The defense was led by Allen and Mobley. Allen's brutal block of an attempted dunk by Fultz seemed to be the turning point.
Garland with two late turnovers that put the win in jeopardy and he also missed a wide open jumper from the elbow. I thought he had a bad game but somehow he ended up with 16 points, 10 assists, and a +14.
Wendall Carter Jr, their 6'10" center, was 4-for-4 on 3's until missing one late. He's a 35% shooter from deep, but he made the game closer than it should have been. Cole Anthony had a line of 15/5/4 off the bench in 26 minutes.
Our bench continues to consist of Caris LeVert, who had 19 points. Stevens, Cedi, and Rubio combined for 10 points in 26 minutes. We have no bench other than LeVert. Dean Wade got the start and was 1-for-5 on 3's. The only make was when the ball bounced off the rim straight up and came back in.
The Cavs also got buried on the boards 47-30 overall and 13-5 on the offensive glass. The Cavs were outscored in the paint 58-38. They won by hitting 15-for-31 on 3's and 18-for-20 on free throws. For once, they won with shooting accuracy.
Mitchell was amazing. Brad Daugherty is right - he is an offensive machine. He carried the Cavs to a win and he should get the JYD award.
I really don't think the Cavs have the bench or the rebounding to get past the Knicks, but if they do they won't get any farther. Rubio was 1-for-6 and a -9 in 11 minutes. For some reason Cedi only played five minutes.
Too bad the unit of Garland, Mitchell, LeVert, Mobley, and Allen can't play 48 minutes. Bringing in anybody else makes it very tough.