Cavaliers exhibit depth, lengthen win streak whereas resting Mitchell
New month, similar Cleveland Cavaliers. Of their first sport within the month of March, the Cavaliers picked up proper the place they left of on the finish of February. On Sunday, Cleveland beat the Portland Path Blazers, 133-129, in extra time.
Regardless that the Cavaliers wanted extra time to beat a staff with a dropping document, they received the job carried out nonetheless. The win makes Cleveland the first staff to succeed in 50 wins on the season and prolonged its win streak to 11 video games, courting again to Feb. 5.
Most significantly with the postseason in entrance of the Jap Convention’s No. 1 seed, Cleveland was in a position to win whereas giving Donovan Mitchell the time off. The Cavaliers determined to relaxation Mitchell two days after scoring 41 factors in a giant assertion making win over the Boston Celtics.
However simply as has been the case all season, Cleveland benefited from different gamers stepping up with one in all its stars out of the lineup in opposition to the Path Blazers.
De’Andre Hunter led the way in which with 32 factors and 7 rebounds in 32 minutes, essentially the most time he is logged in a sport for the reason that begin of the win streak. Hunter’s 32 exceeded his season common for factors coming into the sport of 18.1.
Ty Jerome additionally performed greater than typical, scoring 25 factors in 36 minutes off the bench. He added 5 boards and 6 assists as effectively. And even for a extra dependable contributor, Evan Mobley recorded 20 factors with eight rebounds and a block.
Max Strus had 14, Darius Garland 13 and Jarrett Allen posted a double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds in solely 26 minutes of motion.
And though some might dismiss a win over Portland (27-34), the actual fact Cleveland was nonetheless in a position to win with out its main scorer lends extra credence to those that imagine the Cavaliers’ depth is why they’ll make a run within the postseason.
All indicators level to Cleveland profitable its twelfth straight on Tuesday night time when it travels to Chicago to fulfill the struggling Bulls.
