Why Cavs’ Darius Garland isn’t playing in Game 3 vs. Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to essentially wrap up their opening round NBA playoffs series versus the Miami Heat on Saturday, as they attempt to build a historically insurmountable 3-0 lead. That should be much harder to attain without one of their All-Star guards, however. Darius Garland is out with a toe injury, per longtime Miami reporter Ira Winderman.

Valuable role player Sam Merrill will slide into the starting lineup in his place. Garland suffered a left toe sprain near the end of the Cavs’ Game 2 win on Wednesday. The Heat showed impressive fight in defeat, so they could now have a decent shot at grabbing a W on their home floor.