NBA Notes: Cavs, Darius Garland, Knicks, Josh Hart, Wizards

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are No. 4 in ESPN’s latest power rankings, despite coming off a heartbreaking overtime road loss to the Heat.

They trail only the reigning champion Thunder, Nuggets, and Pistons, respectively.

“After some early-season struggles, the Cavs’ offense has started to cook,” wrote ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “Their offense ranks eighth entering Wednesday’s game in Miami, and they’re about to begin a season-long six-game homestand.

“That resurgence has coincided with the return of Darius Garland before the seventh-year guard left Monday’s game with a left toe injury in only his third game back from having surgery on the toe in June.”

That said, Garland is out for the rematch, as are multiple others, as we relayed here.

Knicks

The Knicks sit in fifth in the ESPN weekly rankings, one spot behind the Cavs. New York’s play at MSG is a big reason why.

“There’s no place like home for the Knicks, unbeaten at Madison Square Garden and in the middle of a seven-game homestand,” wrote ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. “Scoring 137 and 134, respectively, against the Timberwolves and Nets, shows the offense is at least effective, if not fully embraced. Their pace still ranks 22nd.

“Quietly, Josh Hart has returned to his usual form. After a miserable scoreless, 15-minute game in Chicago, he’s put up nearly 14 and eight boards and shot 53% from 3-point range. This was after admitting he’s got the ‘biggest adjustment’ of anyone since moving to the bench.”

Wizards

No less than the Wizards are in last place in this week’s ESPN rankings — which is how a lot of people expect them to finish the season.

The Wizards went 0-4 in the past week to push their losing streak to nine games, but they’ve at least turned in a couple of competitive performances after five consecutive defeats by 17-plus points,” wrote ESPN’s Zach Kram. “Washington led Dallas and Detroit in crunch time before ultimately losing — the latter in overtime, despite a 42-point effort from veteran guard CJ McCollum.

“More highlights from McCollum could benefit the Wizards as they seek future picks at the trade deadline.”

Washington has not reached 50 wins since the 1978-79 season, the franchise’s last appearance in the NBA Finals. They lost to coach Lenny Wilkens and the Seattle SuperSonics in a Game 7 at home that year.