With less than ten seconds remaining, the Cavs’ nine-game winning streak came to an end when closer Donovan Mitchell drove to the basket, was blocked, grabbed the offensive rebound, and kicked out to a wide-open Darius Garland in the corner for a potentially game-winning three-pointer.
Garland missed. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “We got the shots we wanted. I mean, you’ll take Donovan Mitchell driving to the basket a hundred times in a row. You’ll take Darius Garland in a corner for a wide-open three a hundred times in a row.”Garland is recuperating from a broken jaw that kept him out of action for more than a month. He had to take time off from physical exercise before attempting to reintegrate into a team that was winning without him.
After missing his first game back on January 31, Garland stated, “I was just trying to find where I was going to fit in after just being out for so long.” He didn’t want to interfere with what they were doing. “So yeah, just trying to move things along, just doing what I do, and trying to involve everyone.”
It seemed like Garland was finding his rhythm against the 76ers and was facilitating as well as he had played all year, even before to his injury. With zero turnovers and 21 points and nine assists, the Cavaliers point guard concluded the game. Garland recorded just zero turnovers in a game for the second time this season. On December 6, he had nine assists and no turnovers against the Magic.
However, sources tell Cleveland.com that Garland has been dying to finish games while subject to a minute limit, which might start to lift after the All-Star break.
Garland was permitted to play in the closing minutes of Monday’s game as Bickerstaff switched the lineups to have the most effective offensive and defensive rotations possible.
to maximize the Cavaliers’ chances of winning. The ball ended up in Garland’s hands as the timer ran out.
When the game came to an end, Garland remarked, “It was good just being out there.” “I was really just trying to get a win, so I was doing everything I could to just get this team going.” That shot is part of who I am. With that shot, I’m heading home satisfied. Nothing will undermine it and make me feel inferior simply because I missed it. I’m hoping to make a lot more and be able to live with this one since I have a lot more coming.
The game saw the 24-year-old Garland go 3 for 8 from beyond the arc. He had also made a few threes from the corner, which affected his attempt on the final shot.
“I tried to bring it back a little more after missing a couple of long shots, like two in-the-corner threes, but it ended up short, but it felt good coming off, and it looked good, so I’m happy with the shot,” Garland remarked.
Even though this is Garland’s seventh game back, he still doesn’t feel fully recovered. Given that, prior to the injury, he was starting to feel more like himself and had dropped over 10 pounds while following a smoothie diet, it’s not shocking that Garland has needed more time to get used to things and feel his best, but Monday’s game was a positive start.
With two baskets and three assists in almost two minutes, Garland scored all 12 points during the Cavaliers’ 12-2 outburst in the third quarter.
Mitchell, who scored a game-high 36 points, stated, “[He’s] not just expected to come back and be the same person.” It will take time for you to develop, and you can already see it happening. That, in my opinion, is something that makes us and him both more confident. We are all familiar with him. We know that he will keep evolving back into his true self, and evenings like this one are wonderful.
However, when Garland’s body returns to its optimal state and the late-game opportunities persist, his confidence will only increase.
Bickerstaff remarked, “I think he’s getting more and more comfortable.” “We are aware of Darius’s excellence. In terms of just the rhythm and the [All-Star] break to help his body become a bit more used to the strain of it all, I believe that this next game will be beneficial for him. He’ll be all set to depart.