Danny Cunningham here, the host of the daily Locked On Cavs podcast, with your daily Locked On Cavs newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Cavs and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Darius Garland has been a Key to the Cleveland Cavaliers Unbeaten Start
Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and guard Darius Garland (10) celebrate during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images|Ken Blaze/Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Welcome to today’s episode of Locked On Cavs, where we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive start to the season, currently standing at 11-0. We’re here to discuss Darius Garland’s return to All-Star form and how his performance has been pivotal for the team’s success.
- Darius Garland’s Comeback: Darius Garland has been instrumental in the Cavs’ strong start. After a challenging previous season, he’s back to his All-Star level, showcasing improved decision-making and ball-handling. His turnovers have decreased significantly, indicating better control and confidence on the court.
- Statistical Highlights: Garland’s per 36-minute stats are at a career high, averaging 25 points and over eight assists. His reduced turnovers, now at 3.2 per 36 minutes, highlight his improved play. Despite playing fewer minutes due to strategic coaching decisions, his efficiency remains impressive.
- Clutch Performance: In clutch situations, Garland has excelled, scoring 24 points in 18 minutes across four close games. His ability to perform under pressure has been a key factor in the Cavs’ unbeaten record, making them a formidable opponent in tight matches.
- Shooting and Shot Selection: Garland’s shooting has been outstanding, with a near 48% success rate from three-point range. While this may not be sustainable, his shot selection has been commendable, often opting for high-quality attempts and maintaining a high volume of shots.
- Defensive Contributions: While not known for his defense, Garland has stepped up this season, even taking on challenging assignments like guarding Steph Curry. His willingness to improve defensively complements his offensive prowess, contributing to the team’s overall success.
- Team Dynamics: The Cavs’ offensive system has evolved, allowing Garland to thrive alongside teammates like Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. This balanced approach has reduced the pressure on Mitchell, enabling him to conserve energy for crucial moments.
- Upcoming Challenges: The Cavs face a busy week with games against the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and Charlotte Hornets. Each matchup presents unique challenges, but the team’s current form and depth make them well-equipped to handle these tests.
Thank you for joining us on Locked On Cavs. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as we follow the Cavs’ journey this season. Don’t forget to subscribe and share the podcast with fellow fans. Let’s keep the excitement going as the Cavs continue their impressive run!
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Darius Garland has been the most clutch player in the NBA this season, consistently delivering in high-pressure moments for the Cavs. (Fear the Sword)
Preview The Cavaliers take on the Bulls at the United Center at 8:00 PM EST. Read the preview. (NBA)
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
Darius Garland’s Clutch Performance Garland has been a big reason why the Cavaliers have been the NBA’s best team. His numbers in the clutch have been outstanding for Cleveland this year.
Finding a Way Against the Brooklyn Nets The Cavs didn’t look great on Saturday, struggling on the second night of a back-to-back. Despite trailing by more than 10 points in the second half, the Cavs found a way to win thanks to key adjustments by Kenny Atkinson.
