Midway through December, some analysts thought the Cleveland Cavaliers could become sellers once the NBA Trade Deadline rolled around in February. Power forward Evan Mobley was announced out because of a knee injury that would require surgery.
He last placed on December 6th and was expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks. Eight days later, it was point guard Darius Garland who went down with a fractured jaw that would keep him sidelined for at least a few weeks.
Approaching the end of January, the Cavaliers are now one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Cleveland was riding an eight-game winning streak before their loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, J.B. Bickerstaff, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
Without Mobley and Garland in the lineup, the team has gone 13-4, surging up the Eastern Conference standings when many thought they would flounder. Donovan Mitchell took his game to another level, embracing his role as the lead playmaker and initiator of the offense. In January, he is averaging 7.3 assists per game.
You can count on a player of Mitchell’s caliber stepping up when the team needs him most but replacing Garland and Mobley has been a total team effort. Several other players have answered the call, which has led to the Cavaliers going on this hot streak.
Dean Wade has been great stepping into the starting lineup, while Max Strus and Isaac Okoro have also played well. That has resulted in the Cavaliers, prior to Thursday night’s games, having the best five-man lineup in the NBA over the last 15 games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, J.B. Bickerstaff, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The lineup of Mitchell, Strus, Okoro, Wade and Jarrett Allen has produced a net rating of +22.6 in 146 minutes over the last 15 games. That is an incredible number and puts a sizable difference between the second-place team, the New York Knicks’ grouping of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Cavaliers have been playing some excellent basketball despite being short-handed. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff deserves a lot of credit for keeping the group afloat despite being down two starters and core contributors.
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