Dribbles: Cavs Rising To Heights We Haven’t Seen In Quite Some Time

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 124-89 home rout of the Rockets on Wednesday.

1. Just when you thought the Cavs couldn’t play any better … they go and turn a game into 48 minutes of garbage time.

2. We won’t focus too much on the actual game, and that’s a real credit to the Cavs. They’ve just been utterly dominant and a blast to watch. Beyond that, there really isn’t much to say.

3. They once led this one by 45 points. When they were up 42 in the third quarter (84-42), I actually turned the channel for a bit and put the kids to bed. Used to be, I’d do that because the Cavs were the ones getting killed.

4. Other cool numbers: The Cavs (18-12) have now won five straight and nine of 11. This marked their most lopsided victory of the season — and the Rockets’ worse loss. During the streak, the Cavs are outscoring opponents by about 19 points a game.

5. See what I mean by utter dominance?

6. Darius Garland scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead the way. Hey now, he’s an All-Star. Isaac Okoro scored 20 on 7-of-9 shooting. Over the last four games, Okoro is averaging 19.0 points.

7. Cleveland finished a sizzling 56 percent from the floor (45-of-80) and 45 percent on 3-pointers (18-of-40). Good ball movement is resulting in great, often uncontested shots.

8. Okoro on the shooting: “To keep this streak going, that’s what we’re out to do. We’ll keep on working and our shots will keep on falling.”

9. There’s more. Dean Wade (16 points, 10 rebounds) slid right back into the starting lineup for injured rookie Evan Mobley (hip), and didn’t skip a beat. And Kevin Love (15 points) really looks as if he’s enjoying himself more than any other time since he came to Cleveland in 2014.

10. Lauri Markkanen added 12 points, Cedi Osman scored eight, and Ricky Rubio had seven to go with 12 assists — including a nifty behind-the-back job to Ed Davis after stealing an inbounds pass.

11. See what I mean about tons of fun?

12. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen had a pedestrian night numbers-wise (six points, nine boards), but that’s only because the Cavs barely needed him. As an aside, he had the block of the night, and perhaps the season. If you saw it, you know which one I’m talking about.

13. And it’s hard to believe it’s taken us this long to mention coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who has proven to be the perfect voice for this bunch. He is the NBA Coach of the Year after 30 games, period, no questions asked, next topic.

14. I’d even give GM Koby Altman my vote for Early NBA Executive of the Year. Seriously. Name another who has put together this type of feel-good story. Can’t do it? It’s OK. I don’t blame you.

15. Bickerstaff on the win: “We did the job we had to do. We played well and we played up to our standards. That’s all we ask from our guys.”

16. Garland on the win: “We’re putting in the work, so we have the confidence that the ball is going to go in every time. Our mindset all season is to play all 48 minutes. We did that tonight.”

17. Amico on the win: Nobody so this coming. Nobody. Probably not even the Cavs themselves. Ain’t it great?

18. By the way, the Cavs’ last five-game win streak? Try March 28-April 5, 2018. That’s when LeBron James was still on the team — and the last time the Cavs made the playoffs. I have a hunch that drought very well might end.