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Game Summary The Cavs are still searching for a game when they put it all together from start to finish. They controlled the game for most of the game, and Darius Garland's return had the offense buzzing and the team looking back to its normal self. Then, the offense hit a slog in the 4th quarter, which required a Garland return to which looked like it caused a reggravation of his toe. But then down the stretch it was a Garland finish at the rim, kick out for a De'Andre Hunter spot-up three and an Evan Mobley finish around the rim. Just like old times, just not all the time tonight. By the Numbers 142.4: Offensive rating with Darius Garland on the floor 91.5: Offensive rating with Darius Garland off the floor 37.5%: Percentage of shots...

Game Preview The Cavs stay home for a Friday night tiff against the Indiana Pacers, who have fallen a long way from their NBA Finals appearance last spring. First Tyrese Haliburton blew out his Achilles, then Myles Turner left in free agency. Since the start of this season they lost Aaron Nesmith (15.5 ppg) and Obi Toppin (14 pts, 7 rebounds) to major injuries. As a result the Pacers stagger into town with a 2-13 record. They lost eight in a row before beating 4-10 Charlotte on Wednesday. It doesn’t appear that they are in any position to give the Cavs a battle, so they’ll probably win this game. Quenton Jackson, averaging 12 ppg, is a game time decision. For the Cavs it’s been reported that Darius Garland is “real close” to playing...

Game Preview After a late 4th quarter win over the depleted Bucks (sans Giannis) the Cavs get a day off before hosting the red hot Houston Rockets. The Athletic’s Tuesday power poll has the Rockets 4th. Their comment: After a 0-2 start, the Rockets have won 9 of 10. They’re just thoroughly overwhelming on the glass, which makes up for whatever ball-handling loss they have with VanVleet out for the season. Houston is getting quite thin, as forward Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) hasn’t debuted yet, while forward Tari Eason (oblique) is probably out until winter. Thin or not the Rockets are on a roll. Cleaning the Glass has them 2nd to OKC in point differential in non-garbage time at +13.0. The Cavs are 10th at +4.1. Kenny said after the...

Game Summary Kenny said it after the game: This isn't the type of game that will go into the Hall of Fame but the Cavs have the type of talent where they can still eek games out. The game was really Giannis and post-Giannis. He went out with a groin injury mid way through the game and never returned. The Bucks were tied 49-49 at that point and finished a -12 for the game. Mitchell was active with his scoring profile but the game isn't the game it is without role players like Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr, Sam Merrill and Thomas Bryant all making timely contributions. By the Numbers 47.2%: The Bucks came in as the 2nd best 3P% team in the league while the Cavs ranked 25th 38.6%: The Bucks FG% on shots inside the arc 18: Turnovers by the...

Game Preview The Cavs stay home to take on the Milwaukee Bucks after a come-from-behind 4th quarter win over the Grizzlies, who have now lost 8 of their last 9. It was not a pretty win. I thought tonight we were going to come out with much, much more energy. We didn’t...cognitively, we weren’t there. We’ve gotta get our juice back - KA The Cavs are shooting 30% on 3’s over their last four games, a sample size of 193 attempts. In terms of energy, intensity, and 3-point shooting the Cavs have not impressed recently. The Bucks are 8-6 overall and 3-3 on the road. The Cavs are 5-2 at home and beat the Bucks in Game 3 in Cleveland by a 118-113 score. The Cavs should have the same players available for Monday’s game with the possible...

Game Preview After playing 3 games in 4 days the Cavs get a day off at home before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies. This will be their first game of the season against a Western Conference team. Memphis is 4-9 overall and has been in a tailspin recently, losing 7 of their last 8 with the lone win coming at home against the 4-9 Mavericks. The Grizzlies are 1-4 on the road. Their point differential is -7.9 which ranks 25th. Ja Morant is averaging 19 points and 8 assists, but he’s shooting a horrid 35% from the field and 17% on 3’s. He’s only 26 and a perennial All-Star when healthy, but he’s only played in 59 games the last two years combined. I wonder if the injuries are starting to take their toll on the 174-pound point guard. He’s...

Game Summary Is the Miami or Toronto championship effort? The regular season has its place, and the Cavs have deemed it their experimental lab, but the baseline for tweaking their process should be effort and focus. Yes, the Cavs were coming off a back-to-back. Yes, they're in a tight window of games. But, they have a deep bench. And if they have championship aspirations, the effort cannot be option or be the flip of a switch, it has to be consistent. Toronto has played well recently and are beginning to gel but this is not the team at home they should have faced two losses to in a span of several games. Not if the Cavs want to get to where they want to get to. A disappointing loss all the way around. By the Numbers 10:46: Mark in...

Game Preview Fresh off an improbable bench win over the Heat which saw guys like Luke Travers, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, and Tyrese Proctor getting 4th quarter minutes, the Cavs take the long flight to Cleveland for their second game of the season against the Toronto Raptors, who had Wednesday off. The Raptors started 1-4 but are 5-1 since with wins over Milwaukee by 28, Memphis by 13, and Atlanta by 12. Two weeks ago they beat the Cavs in Cleveland 112-101...

Game Summary No Darius Garland. No Donovan Mitchell. No Jaylon Tyson. No Evan Mobley. No problem? The pesky Cavs hung around just long enough to make it a game and put the bench put the game away several minutes into the second half as they ended the game on a 52-24 run over the last 16 minutes of play. Led by Craig Porter Jr, every bench player posted a double digit positive plus-minus with the exception of Larry Nance Jr (+3). What looked to be a scheduling loss, turned into a galvanizing win. By the Numbers 69 to 47: Miami's first half point total to the second half point total 121.5: The Cavs oRTG without the missing pieces above +18: FTA differential favoring the Cavs, a night after they were on the other end of the disparity 15...