Cavs Learn Lessons In Home Loss, Now Long Road Stretch Begins

It was a tough loss for the Cavaliers, the kind that shows you still have a little ways to go and that you are, in fact, still a young team.

But it also had the kind of promise that has defined the season.

Final score: Grizzlies 110, Cavs 106 in a home game that went down to the wire Tuesday.

Memphis’ Ja Morant (26 points, six assists) is slowly becoming the best point guard in all the West and showed why on this night.

But the Cavs also have a pretty good one in Darius Garland, who erupted for 27 points and 10 assists in his first game after returning from health and safety protocol. Along with that, he committed just one turnover.

“There’s so much more we can do with the ball in his hands,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s going to work himself back into it. He shoots it better than he did tonight (9-of-26), we know that. But it’s just a matter of catching that rhythm, catching his wind, getting his legs back under him.”

Speaking of shooting, Jarrett Allen went 11-of-14 for 22 points, grabbing 12 rebounds. Kevin Love came off the bench and added 18 points and 10 boards. Evan Mobley went for 17 and eight, respectively, with a pair of blocks.

Nonetheless, it was a heartbreaking defeat. The Cavs (21-17) really want to take care of business at home. Now they need to go out and try to steal one from somebody on the road.

There’s no shame in losing to the Grizzlies (25-14), who beat the mighty Nets in Brooklyn the previous night and have now won six straight overall.

But the Cavs have lost five of seven, and while some of that has to do with health, some of it means opponents are taking their rise seriously. They’re more prepared for the Cavs.

“We’re learning that the fourth quarters are what’s important,” Bickerstaff said. “Every shot, every pass, every possession, every box out, every rotation means everything. Give Memphis credit for hitting the shots at the end.”

Added Allen: “We made a couple mistakes, offensively and defensively, at the worst time and weren’t in the positions that Coach put us in. It’s too bad because we were all excited to have Darius back and missed the energy he brings.”

NOTES

• As we noted Tuesday, new acquisition Rajon Rondo is out of health and safety protocol and set to make his Cavs debut soon. “He can make our big guys better and he can play with Darius,” Bickerstaff said. “All around, it looks like it’s going to be a fit and a win for us.”
• The Cavs are now about to embark on their longest trip of the season — with six straight games on the road. The fun starts Friday at Portland.