2 weeks Ago By Sam Amico, Hoops Wire
Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 134-124 road win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. ..
. 1. Well, it’s over.
That’s the best thing about this one. 2. The Wizards can’t defend and for a while there, the Cavs didn’t offer much resistance, either.
3. In this type of game, the Cavs (42-10) will eventually win. They weren’t great — but you don’t need to be to win in Washington these days.
Just get the job done when it means the most. So kudos to the Cavs do doing exactly that. 4.
Cleveland was fairly shorthanded following the trade for De’Andre Hunter . I kept waiting for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to check in. But they’re in Atlanta now and Sam Merrill missed the game for personal reasons.
Dean Wade (knee) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) remained out. 5. It was an emotional 24 hours for the Cavs, who admittedly are still getting over the loss of LeVert and Niang.
But winning has a way of making you feel better. 6. Cavs guard Ty Jerome won an NCAA championship with Hunter at the University of Virginia.
The two are tight. But even Jerome said he was struggling to adjust to the sudden reality of life without LeVert and Niang. 7.
Jerome on that very subject: “I mean, I’m excited because (Hunter) is my best friend, but I can’t undersell what Caris and Georges meant. ..
. It was emotional for everybody. Those are the two best humans in the NBA.
” 8. The Cavs had just 10 available players, and that includes two-way man Emoni Bates . Add it all up and it resulted in a somewhat listless first three quarters (at least defensively).
At the same time, there was never a time when you thought the Cavs might lose. 9. Offensively, though, things were as good as ever.
Six of those 10 guys reached double figures in scoring. Donovan Mitchell led the way with a fantastic night of 33 points on 12-of-26 shooting. 10.
Evan Mobley added 27 and Darius Garland had 23, knocking down some long-distance 3-pointers along the way. Also, Max Strus tied his season-high with 17, and Jerome came off the bench to tack on 13. Jarrett Allen finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Youngsters Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Jr . added lots of hustle. 11.
While the game was close most of the way, coach Kenny Atkinson was able to pull the starters with the Cavaliers up 14 and 1:46 to go. So, again, let’s just say they really poured it on when they had to. I believe that’s what they call a “Cavalanche.
” 12. Meanwhile, Washington guard Jordan Poole was determined to fire away, and a lot, on his way to 45 points. He went just 4-of-17 on threes, but if the game were still going, he’d still be firing away.
13. The lowly Wizards (9-42) made some trades of their own , giving Poole the bright green light and probably the option of shooting from halfcourt if he so desires. 14.
Hunter will have to go through a few steps before he plays. The Cavaliers are practicing on Sunday, then have a home game on Monday vs. Minnesota.
If all goes well, Hunter could debut then. 15. A few people asked if Hunter would play Friday.
But since this is real life and not NBA2K, the answer was no. People need to process the news that they’ve been traded, travel to their new city, get checked out by the medical staff, etc. Logistically, it’s almost impossible to play 24 hours after you’ve been dealt.
16. My thoughts? It’s a great deal. Hunter is the type of small forward for which the Cavs have been pining.
He can hit threes. He can defend wings. He’s athletic and tough.
I did an entire Hoops Wire Live show with a breakdown. You can check it out here . 17.
I suspect it will continue to take a few days before the Cavs adjust to not having Niang around. He was always the loudest voice in the locker room and really loved it in Cleveland. Some guys just say they do.
He actually did. 18. Anyway, that’s just life in the business of the NBA.
The Cavs are already 42-10. Hunter should make them even better. Imagine that.
Box Score | Cavs 134, Wizards 124.
