Well, it appears the Cavaliers’ starting lineup is again complete.
As suggested by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com and confirmed by Hoops Wire on Monday, point guard Darius Garland is targeting to return from a broken jaw for Wednesday’s home game against the Detroit Pistons.
The Cavs (28-16) have won 10 of 11, capped by Monday’s victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. In that game, Donovan Mitchell not only scored 28 points, but passed for 12 assists while committing just two turnovers.
While he will return to his normal shooting/scoring guard position, there’s a sense he could still share point guard duties with Garland. Either can set up the offense and facilitate.
Garland has been out for four weeks and he’ll be coming back just one game after power forward Evan Mobley returned from arthroscopic knee surgery. Mobly hadn’t played since Dec. 6, before finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes vs. the Clippers.
Shams Charania of The Athletic spoke of Garland’s return during his usual spot on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.
“[Darius Garland] had his mouth wired shut for four weeks,” Charania said. “He’s been rehabbing, he’s been recovering, getting his weight back, he just got his screws out this week and he’s planning to make his return on Wednesday.”
This, of course, leads to coach J.B. Bickerstaff‘s need to get creative with the rotation and backcourt minutes. During Garland’s absence, shooting guard Sam Merrill became an invaluable floor-spacer, burying 3-pointers and keeping opposing defenses honest. That has helped create opportunities for Mitchell to drive, as well as space near the basket for Jarrett Allen, and even given wide-open perimeter looks for the likes of Max Strus.
Basically, with as much as Merrill has contributed to the cause, we can expect to still see him on the court — at least in some fashion.
Garland, 24, is capable of playing either guard position offensively, so none of this should be an issue. He is likely to be on a minutes restriction at first, giving Bickerstaff time to figure out the rotation and overall minutes.
Garland has appeared in 20 games this season, averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 47 percent from the field, 35 percent on threes and 84 percent on free throws. He is also collecting a career-high 1.6 steals.
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While I DO agree with your total overall assessment on things, YES CAV’s are killing it out there, & I haven’t had any reservation with Mobley’s return helping Allen, he, Allen, is doing a dynamite job, & Mobley returning can only help things. I did see a couple times Mobley was a little out of place, maybe a little unsure exactly where he should be with this newly faster-paced passing game, but that was to be expected, HE DID GREAT for his return & so did the Cav’s overall. These last two games were The BIG Time & they did very well.
I DO have a concern with Darius’ return. I DO hope the very talented Mr. Garland has paid close attention to the Cav’s new fast paced momentum & can integrate into it seamlessly that would help immensely. BUT IF we see the same Darius who eats a lot of the clock dribbling around, only to try to penetrate with 3 seconds left into 3 towering defenders without passing, well, problem. IF we see the zippy unexpected passes that have been turning into 4 to 6 turnovers a game, well, problem again. IF we see the revolving door defense, well, at least we’ll have both Allen & Mobley & maybe OKORO, back there to help clean it up. (Okoro is Killing it too-great improvements)
But as you said, “In that game, Donovan Mitchell not only scored 28 points, but passed for 12 assists while committing just two turnovers.”
If we see a Darius with a Donovan type led point guard that passes & assists in like manner this could be a NEW accelerated trip to the higher end of the playoffs.
This Detroit Game is a GOOD game to try this out for Darius & I DO hope it comes off well. I really, really do. But I do have some concerns here from some previous bad turnover habits recurring. I do expect he has practiced his 3pt shot so all should be well…. I HOPE !
Go Cav’s.