Dribbles: Cavs Have Their Way, In Every Which Way, With Woeful Wizards

December 3, 2024

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 118-87 home hammer job of the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. …

1. In the event you wondered what 48 minutes of garbage time might look like … well, this was pretty much it. The Cavs never trailed, were never threatened, and seemingly could’ve won by 50 if they had so desired.

2. But hey, that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re playing the Wizards at home.

3. The only not-so-great news of the night was the injury to Darius Garland. It occurred in the third quarter, when Garland hit his head after being blasted by slow-moving Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas. Garland exited and did not return.

4. He finished with 12 points, three assists and one eye-popping drive. On the bright side, both coach Kenny Atkinson and Garland himself indicated afterward that Garland is fine. He’s not expected to miss any time. “I’m good,” Garland said. “I’m alive.”

5. And Cavs Nation is remarkably grateful for both of those things.

6. Other than that, perhaps the most notable moment came when Jarrett Allen attempted a corner 3-pointer. Basically, you know things are going very well when that happens. Allen missed it by a hair or three.

7. Oh, Tristan Thompson tried one from the top of the key with the clock winding down in the fourth quarter. Let’s just say his wasn’t quite as close. I have no proof of this, but I’d be willing to bet it’s the first time in Cavaliers history that Allen and Thompson attempted a three in the same game.

8. As for the actual game, yeah, we’re talking Blowout City. It’s kind of funny, because you’d love to win every game like this. But when it actually happens … well, it can be kind of ugly and boring.

9. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Atkinson said he was pleased that the Cavs took a far inferior opponent seriously. He praised their approach and overall professionalism.

10. Atkinson on that very subject: “We worked for it. We shared the ball, everybody touched it, everybody was involved. That’s a testament to who we are.”

11. And the Cavs are 19-3 for just the second time in franchise history (2008-09). They also still sport the NBA’s best record.

12. Seven Cavs reached double figures in scoring, led by Donovan Mitchell‘s and Evan Mobley‘s 19 apiece. Mitchell also passed for seven assists with three steals; Mobley collected 10 rebounds and blocked two shots.

13. Along with those two, Sam Merrill and Georges Niang each scored 14, and Allen had 11. In fact, the 3-pointer was Allen’s lone miss (5-of-6 shooting). Caris LeVert tacked on 10.

14. Earlier in the day, Atkinson was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. No surprise there. He insisted the roster was responsible for 99 percent of the Cavs’ early success. He added that he accounted for just one percent. Mobley disagreed.

15. What makes Atkinson so great for this team? “His communication, his knowledge of the game,” Mobley said. “He teaches us in a way that won’t confuse us. He’s just a great communicator.”

16. Meanwhile, the Wizards (2-17) are really hurting. They’ve lost 15 straight. They may be on their way to 20 straight, or more. They were already without second-leading scorer Kyle Kuzma. Then they lost Malcolm Brogdon, Corey Kispert and rookie Kyshawn George to various injuries during the game.

17. But everyone knew Washington would be a rebuilding program. “I’ve been on that side. It’s tough,” Atkinson said of the Wizards. “I will say this about Washington — they are playing really hard. Their compete level is a 10 out of 10. It’ll turn for them. It’s just a long process.”

18. This was the Cavs’ final NBA Cup game of the season. Thanks to their losses to the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, they won’t advance to the quarterfinals. That means games will need to be added to the schedule. They are as follows: Dec. 13 vs. the Washington Wizards; Dec. 16 at the Brooklyn Nets.

19. The night also marked the return of Dean Wade, who missed the previous six games with a sprained ankle. He was a little rusty shooting the ball (0-of-5) but otherwise did the little things we’re accustomed to seeing. Ty Jerome was out sick.

20. Not really much more to say from this one. The Cavaliers stay home for the lone visit of the season from Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. That takes place Thursday.

21. Finally, Mitchell left the game briefly with a stinger, also the result of running into Valanciunas. He returned quickly, pumped his fist, checked back in, and also said he was fine.