Caris LeVert isn’t surprised by the Cavaliers’ ability to overcome obstacles and win games while missing three injured starters (Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley).
After all, the Cavs just completed what was viewed as a daunting three-game trip, at the New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. The Cavs won two. They were missing Mobley, Strus, and Dean Wade for all three, and Mitchell for the final one.
Against the Pacers, LeVert scored 23 points, passed for 11 assists and grabbed eight rebounds, just missing a triple-double.
“We’ve got a lot of guys capable of contributing and making big plays down the stretch,” LeVert told reporters. “Our defense really held up the last three quarters of the game and won us that game. That’s a good offensive team. We held them to what, 103? That says a lot about our defense.”
Despite the injuries and some uneven play, the Cavs (43-25) have continued to fight and stay in the race for the Central Division title and second seed in the Eastern Conference.
They split the season series vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, so should they finish with the same record, it will come down to division record.
But here we are, still having that conversation, as the Cavs hope to soon be whole.
And they are doing it as a team. Jarrett Allen added 23 points and nine rebounds. Newcomer Marcus Morris came off the bench to add 14, with four 3-pointers in his first three quarters. He had just signed a 10-day deal earlier in the day.
“It took toughness,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the win over Indiana. “It took resilience. It took togetherness to make sure that we never splintered, even with adversity and ups and downs.”
That is the Cavs today. Fighting the ups and downs, the injuries, and showing togetherness. The bad news for everyone else is they keep battling regardless of who’s on the court. Sounds simple, cliched. But it’s clearly how this team has approached the season.
- Word is that the Cavs will rest Mitchell for a few more games as he remains limited with the left knee bone bruise. It’s bothered him since the All-Star break. He leads the Cavs at 27.4 points per game.
- Along with that, of course, the Cavs announced that Mitchell will be out for a week with a nasal fracture. And the hits just keep on coming.
- The Cavs make a quick pit stop back home to face the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on Wednesday. Old friend Kevin Love has missed 10 straight games with a left heel bruise.
- Check out the latest Dribbles right here.
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