Cleveland Cavaliers take undermanned Los Angeles Clippers seriously, cruise to 122-99 win

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There was no disrespecting the sport — or the opponent — this time.

The Cavaliers demolished the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers for a 122-99 wire-to-wire win on Sunday evening at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, pushing their dwelling report to an Jap Convention-best 21-5.

“We simply took care of enterprise,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff mentioned. “It was classes that we’ve realized the laborious approach and never repeating those self same issues. Credit score to our guys for going out and taking good care of enterprise.”

Beneficial Cavaliers tales

Just a little greater than per week in the past, the Cavaliers hosted the Golden State Warriors. That evening, Golden State — enjoying on the second evening of a back-to-back — rested six gamers, together with Western Convention All-Star Stephen Curry and three different regular starters. And but, the Cavaliers received embarrassed and outclassed by the Warriors’ B workforce — a feckless efficiency that drew Bickerstaff’s ire. Following the incomprehensible loss, Bickerstaff mentioned his workforce disrespected the sport.

Cleveland was in the same scenario Sunday evening.

The Clippers, who entered the matchup on a five-game profitable streak, sat main scorers Kawhi Leonard (proper knee harm administration) and Paul George (proper knee soreness) following Saturday’s hard-fought victory in Atlanta. Veterans Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, John Wall and Robert Covington had been additionally held out, leaving undermanned Los Angeles with simply 10 obtainable guys, a lot of whom haven’t been used a lot this season.

With the correct method and mindset, Sunday had the makings of a non-competitive blowout. That’s precisely what it was.

“We skilled the opposite facet of this sport,” Cavs middle Jarrett Allen mentioned, referring to the Warriors loss. “Popping out and setting the tone, that was the primary factor for us. Throughout the Warriors sport, we type of got here out lackadaisical and this sport we wished to return out and ship a message from the start.”

Cavs level guard Darius Garland opened the evening with a feathery triple lower than a minute into the primary quarter, placing Cleveland up 3-0. It by no means relinquished the lead. The Cavs pushed their benefit to a game-high 40 factors within the second half after which cruised to victory, with all 5 starters — Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Allen — watching the complete fourth quarter from the bench.

Placing on a present throughout Turkish Heritage Evening at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, swingman Cedi Osman, who nonetheless calls Turkey dwelling and returns there each offseason, completed with a career-high-tying 29 factors. He was 11 of 13 taking pictures and seven of seven from 3-point vary.

Within the closing minute, on each offensive possession for the Cavs, the gang and bench rose up in unison, chanting Osman’s first identify and urging him to aim one other shot.

“I knew that I tied my career-high, however on the finish of the sport, it was a 30-point sport and a few seconds left, so I didn’t see any purpose simply to go and rating two factors,” Osman mentioned following the win. “I felt prefer it’d be disrespectful in the direction of the Clippers. Vert (Caris LeVert) was calling me to offer me the ball, however I used to be simply telling him to maintain it. It was a enjoyable sport.”

Garland added 16 factors and 10 assists in 23 minutes. Allen chipped in with 15 factors, eight rebounds and three assists. LeVert tallied 12 off the bench.

Mitchell, sidelined for 5 of the earlier six video games, confirmed no indicators of the groin soreness that has been plaguing him. He scored 9 of his 11 factors in a tone-setting first quarter. Mitchell was 5 of 9 taking pictures, together with 1 of three from deep.

All 12 gamers made at the least one subject aim. The Cavs had 35 assists on 44 made photographs. They received 63 factors from the maligned bench.

“We tried to play a fantastic 48 minutes,” Osman mentioned. “We keep in mind what occurred towards Golden State. They’re a fantastic workforce, however they had been lacking crucial items, like their greatest gamers and we didn’t have sport towards them. Tonight, it was the identical scenario. We took it extra significantly and every part began with our starters. They set the tone early, after which the second once we got here in, we did the identical job. Huge props to the starters after which we observe their lead. It was a fantastic sport for us.”

With out their greatest gamers, former Cavs coach Tyronn Lue’s workforce shot simply 41.6% from the sphere and a couple of of 19 from past the arc. Teen Brandon Boston Jr. completed with a team-high 24 factors.

Usually, the primary sport again dwelling after a street journey is daunting. Not Sunday. Not with the Clippers resting so many key guys.

Let’s simply name it a present from an outdated pal — Ty Lue. One the Cavs gladly accepted this time.

Lastly

Allen, hardly recognized for his perimeter taking pictures, buried his first 3-pointer of the season late within the third quarter and celebrated by straightening his afro with three fingers used to sign the make. Allen had missed his first seven makes an attempt to open the season. He hadn’t made a triple since Nov. 5, 2021.

“Felt good to see it lastly go in,” Allen mentioned. “Been holding the celebration again for thus lengthy. It lastly felt good to do it.”

Up subsequent

The Cavs will proceed their homestand Tuesday evening towards the Miami Warmth. Tipoff is about for 7 p.m.

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