New month, identical Cleveland Cavaliers. Of their first sport within the month of March, the Cavaliers picked up proper the place they left of on the finish of February. On Sunday, Cleveland beat the Portland Path Blazers, 133-129, in extra time.
Although the Cavaliers wanted extra time to beat a group with a dropping file, they acquired the job accomplished nonetheless. The win makes Cleveland the first team to reach 50 wins on the season and prolonged its win streak to 11 video games, courting again to Feb. 5.
Most significantly with the postseason in entrance of the Japanese Convention’s No. 1 seed, Cleveland was capable of win whereas giving Donovan Mitchell the day without work. The Cavaliers decided to rest Mitchell two days after scoring 41 points in an enormous assertion making win over the Boston Celtics.
However simply as has been the case all season, Cleveland benefited from different gamers stepping up with one in every of its stars out of the lineup in opposition to the Path Blazers.
De’Andre Hunter led the way in which with 32 factors and 7 rebounds in 32 minutes, essentially the most time he is logged in a sport because the begin of the win streak. Hunter’s 32 exceeded his season average for points coming into the sport of 18.1.
Ty Jerome additionally performed greater than ordinary, scoring 25 factors in 36 minutes off the bench. He added 5 boards and 6 assists as effectively. And even for a extra dependable contributor, Evan Mobley recorded 20 factors with eight rebounds and a block.
Max Strus had 14, Darius Garland 13 and Jarrett Allen posted a double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds in solely 26 minutes of motion.
And although some might dismiss a win over Portland (27-34), the very fact Cleveland was nonetheless capable of win with out its main scorer lends extra credence to those that imagine the Cavaliers’ depth is why they may make a run within the postseason.
All indicators level to Cleveland successful its twelfth straight on Tuesday evening when it travels to Chicago to satisfy the struggling Bulls.
