Dribbles: Cavs Suffer A Loss, Finally, But Refuse To Go Down Without A Fight vs. Champs

November 19, 2024

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 120-117 road loss to the Boston Celtics in an NBA Cup game on Tuesday. …

1. It had all the makings of a blowout. Darius Garland couldn’t make a shot. The Celtics couldn’t miss from beyond the arc. The Cavs found themselves down by 21 in the third quarter.

2. Game over, right? Well, not exactly. Not with these Cavs. Not this year.

3. Granted, the streak is over. The Cavs aren’t unbeaten anymore. They’re 15-1. I think most people within the organization and their fans will take it.

4. Yes, you really wanted to beat the defending champion Celtics on their floor. You wanted to make an early-season statement. And you nearly did. You made Bostion sweat it out.

5. But for the first time since coach Kenny Atkinson came to Cleveland, the Cavaliers lost.

6. Now, there were a few things not to like about this game. Garland was a miserable 3-of-21 shooting, including 0-of-6 on 3-pointers. A couple weren’t even close. Boston was extremely physical with him and it clearly made an impact.

7. That said, Garland is a massive reason why the Cavs won 15 of their first 16. You will have nights like this. Sometimes, the ball just won’t drop. No big deal. The teams meet again in Cleveland on Sunday, Dec. 1. You can bet Garland already has that date circled.

8. And guess what? The Cavs were right there at the end, anyway.

9. Basically, it took a scorching hot start from the Celtics and perhaps the worst shooting night of Garland’s career for Boston to hold on for a home win.

10. The Celtics remained without Kristaps Porzingis. He has yet to debut this season. But the Cavs didn’t have Max Strus, also waiting to debut, and key rotational pieces such as Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade and Caris LeVert. Okoro and Wade normally rotate in as the starter for Strus.

11. Instead, the job went to Sam Merrill, who missed the previous three games with a sore ankle. Merrill did an admirable job, knocking down two threes during the Cavs’ third-quarter run. He also gave perhaps the best defensive performance of his career.

12. Everyone showed plenty of fight, and that’s what really matters here. The Cavs never folded. They just got down big (17 at halftime) and spent the entire second half trying to accomplish a basketball miracle. They nearly pulled it off — cutting Boston’s lead to two on several occasions.

14. Donovan Mitchell was magnificent, spinning, fighting, scrapping on his way to a game-high 35 points. He had a bloody mouth to show for it after Celtics star Jayson Tatum blasted him while going for a steal with seconds to go. Mitchell wore it like a badge of honor.

15. Evan Mobley was quietly dominant with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He was a major player in the Cavs getting back in the game. Jarrett Allen also had 11 boards, to go with his 10 points (5-of-6 shooting).

16. Atkinson was only able to use three guys off the bench — Craig Porter Jr. (15 points), Georges Niang (11) and Ty Jerome (10). Each played very well, especially Porter. Translation: There is very little reason, perhaps none, for the Cavs to hang their heads.

17. No time for that anyway — as the Cavaliers hopped on a plane and immediately headed back to Cleveland. The New Orleans Pelicans are in town on Wednesday.

18. Tatum led the Celtics (12-3) with 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The Cavs held him to two field goals in the fourth quarter, a big reason they were able to get back in it. The ageless Al Horford added 20 and Derrick White scored 19. Jaylen Brown tacked on 17.

19. OK, now for a little something to cheer you up: At the current pace, the Cavs are destined to finish 77-5. Obviously, that’s a cool stat just for the sake of it. But we all knew they weren’t going undefeated. Truth is, they played better here for most of the night than in some of their wins.

20. A rival NBA scout texted me after the game: “Cavs had about 14 bad minutes. (But) I walked away thinking they’re the better team.”

21. Translation: Sixteen games in, the Cavs have yet to show they’re anything but a group that we cannot wait to watch again. And they still very much look as if they’re on their way to big things.