Dribbles: Oh The Agony, As This Time, Cavs’ Fight Falls Short

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 127-122 toughie of a home loss to the Timberwolves on Monday.

1. Well, for most of the night, it was a valiant effort for the Cavs. Fell back by 23 points in the third quarter, and you thought it was over.

2. Then came the late third and fourth, and the Cav s did it again. They made a game of it. They gave themselves a chance — on another night without Darius Garland, without Caris LeVert, without Rajon Rondo.

3. Take out your top three guards, and well, any team anywhere would be just trying to survive. That’s where the Cavs (36-25) stand today.

4. Like the Cavs, the Timberwolves (33-29) have been on the rise this season. They play a tough, physical brand of basketball, with a lot of fire, a lot of energy, and spend an inordinate amount of time in your face.

5. Without an All-Star such as Garland, or a guy who can break down opponents such as LeVert … well, the Timberwolves’ style can wear on you.

6. That’s how the Cavs got down by more than 20 points. Eventually, they matched Minnesota’s toughness. But few opportunities to take command slipped away.

7. Everyone played a role in giving the Cavs a chance. Kevin Love followed his worst two-game stretch of the year by erupting for 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting (including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers). Cedi Osman was very good with 21 points. Same goes for Jarrett Allen, who also scored 21, grabbing eight rebounds.

8. Brandon Goodwin added 17 points and 12 assists, and Evan Mobley finished with 15 points and 10 boards. Looking at all of the above numbers, you’d think this was a game the Cavs won. But it turned out to be just … out … of … reach. And that smarts.

9. The most dramatic moments came in the final 33 seconds, when Osman buried a three to tie it at 122-all. The Cavs climbed all the way back and the building practically exploded, courtesy of noise from the fans.

10. But 22 seconds later, Karl-Anthony Towns hit a difficult but clutch three of his own. With 11.8 seconds to go, the Cavs got the ball and one final chance.

11. This time, though, Osman’s well-defended three hit off the side of the rim. Mobley saved the ball off Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley. But upon further review, it was ruled Mobley had stepped on the end line, out of bounds, and the call was reversed. Timberwolves ball, after all. And that was that.

12. Despite the impressive rally, Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said these Cavs are different — they expect to win. They believe no matter who is on the floor or who is missing. So with that in mind, every loss is a disappointment.

13. To wit: “There are no silver linings,” Bickerstaff said. “We have to be better.”

14. More Bickerstaff: “We talk about being who we are for 48 minutes, and we lost sight of that early. Instead of scrapping and continuing to play the way we play, we just got into this back-and-forth.”

15. D’Angelo Russell led the Timberwolves with 25 points. Towns, former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards and second-year big man Jaden McDaniels added 17 apiece. Minnesota is scrappy, gutsy, tough. But it’s hard to believe the Wolves would’ve howled had the Cavs had Garland.

16. Speaking the All-Star point guards, Garland took part in some light shooting earlier in the day. He really could return at any moment. At least, it seems that way. Obviously, the Cavs need him. They can’t afford to lose many more, especially at home. Not if they hope to avoid the play-in tournament. (Spoiler alert: They do.)

17. So that’s it for now. The Cavs are still showing fight. And now it’s winning time. Maybe, with at least one of their key backcourt players getting healthy, they can steal a game or two they aren’t supposed to win, and this will prove to be little more than a small bump in the road. 

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