Cavs Dribbles: Darius Garland, Tim Frazier, Kevin Love, Etc.

CLEVELAND — A few dribbles prior to tipoff of the Cavaliers’ home game vs. the Timberwolves on Monday.

1. The Cavs really need Darius Garland, but he won’t be playing again. The bone bruise in his back will keep him out for another game.

2. GM Mike Gansey told 92.3 The Fan last week that he doesn’t suspect Garland will miss much time, that the injury just needs rest. Let’s hope that’s the case, because we’ve all seen the Cavs’ offense without Garland and Caris LeVert (still out with a foot injury).

3. Garland got up shots at the morning shootaround on Monday, as relayed by Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. He played in the All-Star Game. He wants to play, and if it were entirely up to him, he would. But you can’t blame the Cavs for being cautious and probably wise.

4. This could be a night when Tim Frazier makes his Cavs debut. After Rajon Rondo went down, I looked over the Hoops Wire free agent list (shameless plug alert), and Frazier was one of the names that I found intriguing. He’s a journeyman, having already played for eight other teams, including the Pelicans — twice.

5. Frazier, 31, is 6-foot-0, and he will get you into your offense and take care of the ball. He is a true pro. But he’s not exactly going to knock down shots. Still, he should be a capable fill-in and I admire president of basketball operations Koby Altman for not surrendering when a Cav is injured. Instead, he goes out and finds another veteran.

6. At any rate, without Garland, LeVert and Rondo, the Cavs will need to defend like they did at the end of Saturday’s ugly win over the Wizards. We’ve all seen the offense without the main guards. It can struggle to even get a decent look at the basket.

7. Frazier should help in that area. And that’s nothing against Brandon Goodwin, who has done a decent job and has had his moments. He just needs more experience, and man, he is getting some on the fly.

8. The Cavs (36-24) will probably also need Kevin Love to get it going a little here soon. Love has struggled mightily shooting the ball, and it’s making it difficult for coach J.B. Bickerstaff to keep him on the court. In the two games since the All-Star break, Love is a combined 2-of-15 shooting from the field. Without the starting backcourt, he’s needed more than ever.

9. On the bright side, Isaac Okoro really proved why everyone touts his defense in handcuffing Kyle Kuzma last game. It may have been the best defensive showing of Okoro’s young career.

10. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are going to get another sampling of an All-Star big man when they see Karl-Anthony Towns on Monday. You can be sure Towns is fired up to prove he’s the best big on the court.

11. And let’s not forget, these have not been the same old Timberwolves. Along with the Grizzlies, the T-Wolves (32-29) have been much like the Cavs out West — a pleasant surprise that appears to be very much on the rise.

12. Final thought: What must the Cavs have planned for Dylan Windler? They are desperate for backcourt help, yet the former first-round pick has been assigned to the G League.

Sam Amico is senior NBA writer at Hoops Wire. Follow him @AmicoHoops.