While the final score did not go the Cleveland Cavaliers way, Wednesday night’s 120-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns gave a glimpse into why the team’s success early in the 2021-22 season is no fluke.
While the Cavs were missing star rookie Evan Mobley, who is still on the mend from his elbow injury, the team displayed a balanced attack on the offensive end, with six players scoring in double figures for the team.
Even on a night where guards Ricky Rubio and Darius Garland combined for 13 of 39 shooting from the floor, the duo still managed to combine for 34 points and 12 assists leading the offense.
As head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following the game, it’s all about playing together.
“We’re playing together, and that’s what we want to do,” Bickerstaff said. “We don’t want to be dominated by one guy. We want to move the ball [and] create for one another.”
“People know when to be aggressive,” Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said after the game. “People know that we’re counting on them to make the right play, and we don’t mind if they miss a shot. As long as they’re doing the right thing [and] playing the right way, we’re going to back them up 100%.”
Allen led the Cavs in scoring on Wednesday with 25 points along with 11 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen matched Allen’s 11 rebounds to pair with 14 points of his own.
Helping your fellow man
Bickerstaff has preached the “next man up” mentality time after time with the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the 2021-22 season. Wednesday night was a prime example of that mentality put into action.
Of the six players scoring in double figures, three of them came off the bench, including Cedi Osman, who scored 23 points including 5-7 from beyond the arc.
“It’s understanding how you help the team and what position you have to play in order to make the team better,” Bickertstaff said in his postgame comments. “[Osman] has embraced that. He comes off our bench and gives us a big spark. [He’s] a guy who is bought into the team and trying to do what’s best for the group … being a star in your role, and Cedi is doing that.”
In addition to Osman, Cavs veteran forward Kevin Love stepped up, playing 22 minutes and adding 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Love nailed a couple of deep shots and had Cavs fans feeling nostalgic with a few full court passes for easy transition baskets.
With the way the Cavaliers have been distributing and playing unselfishly, it’s easy to see the positives on the horizon for the young club.