In a preseason game where the Cleveland Cavaliers rested their likely starting lineup, the team’s bench had a strong showing in a 120-89 victory over Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli National League.
Particularly, the Cavaliers’ guard duo of Caris LeVert and Ty Jerome displayed considerable chemistry on the floor together.
During his pregame press conference, Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed how the two have been playing well with each other so far. This thought was the case once again tonight.
LeVert finished the night with 13 points (4-9 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His +31 plus/minus was a game-high.
Jerome totaled 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, and tied a team-high with six assists. His plus/minus was third in line at +28.
This season, LeVert and Jerome will be crucial pieces of Cleveland’s backcourt depth, as Ricky Rubio stepped away from basketball in August to focus on his mental health. He was excused from Cleveland’s training camp, and it is unclear when or if he will return to the team.
LeVert is entering his second full season with Cleveland. Last season, the 29-year-old played 74 games (30 starts), averaging 12.1 points per game and shooting a career-high 39.1% from three.
This will be Jerome’s first season with the Cavaliers. The 26-year-old averaged 6.9 points and 3.0 assists per game in 45 games (two starts) with the Golden State Warriors last season. He also totaled career-bests in field-goal (48.8%) and free-throw (92.7%) percentage, while shooting 38.9% from deep.
While the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland will headline Cleveland’s backcourt again this season, the LeVert-Jerome tandem looks to be a key piece to the team’s success.
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