Cavs blow out Utah, 122-99, for the best home record in NBA

The Cleveland Cavaliers, with a 29 – 21 lead after the 1st quarter, put this game on cruise control for a 122 – 99 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz. The Cavs now own the best home record in the NBA at an astounding 15-2!

 

Star guard Donovan Mitchell came out blazing hot against his former team, hitting three of four long range three point baskets, plus a two point basket, for 11 total 1st quarter points. Fellow guard Darius Garland backed up Mitchell with 8 points.

 

Cavs Add To Their Lead in 2nd Quarter

 

Former Cavalier Lauri Markkanen, traded to the Jazz in the huge Mitchell transaction, did his best to bring the Jazz back into this game. Markkanen scored 15 points in the 2nd quarter, including 5 free throws, and 4 baskets – two of which were long three pointers. Cavalier fans saw that shooting ability throughout last season from Lauri.

 

But unlike many other games, the Cavs did not rest on their 1st quarter laurels. They built on their 8 point 1st quarter lead, outscoring the Jazz by 10 in the 2nd quarter. Jarrett Allen scored 8 points to pace the Cavs, after scoring 6 in the 1st quarter.

 

The Cavs did a nice job spreading the ball around, with eight players contributing 2nd quarter points, on 7 team assists. Darius Garland closed out the half with a long three point bomb, putting the Cavaliers up by eighteen at 62 – 44.

 

Early 3rd Quarter Mini Jazz Run

 

The Jazz came out determined after the half with an 8 – 0 run, to cut the lead to 10 points. But the Cavs immediately answered back with three pointers from Isaac Okoro and Mitchell, and built back their lead to 78 – 58 with 5:44 left in the 3rd quarter.

Okoro with authority!

The teams traded baskets and foul shots, with the Cavaliers leading 90 – 71 after the 3rd Quarter.

 

Mitchell was most deservedly finished for the night, scoring 23 points on a very efficient 8 for 12 from the field, including 4 for 5 on three pointers. His 23 minutes played was a welcome respite from his usual 37 minutes per game average.

 

A Hot Cedi Osman 4th Quarter Sighting

 

Cedi exploded for twenty 4th quarter points, including five long three pointers. The fans were loving it, and the rim looked like it was three feet wide from Cedi’s view.

Osman helped the Cavaliers finish off this game with a 32 – 28 4th quarter advantage, outscoring the Jazz in every quarter. It was a fun night for the home team, and the Cavs have a 4 game win streak going.

 

In his presser after, Osman thought this was the most “complete” game of the season for the Cavs.

 

Cedi Osman believes tonight's win over the Jazz was the @cavs' most complete game this season. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/USOZkOKiz6

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) December 20, 2022

The Cavaliers pushed their record to 21 – 11, the 3rd best record in both the NBA and the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee, at 22 – 8, have a two game lead on the Cavs in the Central Division. The Bucks come to The Land, Wednesday!

 

Markkanen led the Jazz with 24 points, and the Jazz fell to 17 – 16 on the season.

 

Mobley on the win:

 

Evan Mobley on everyone getting involved with the win over the Jazz and the love this team has for Cedi Osman. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/I3EeUme0Y7

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) December 20, 2022

 

Next Games:

The Cavs continue their longest home stand of the year with a Wednesday game against Milwaukee and a Friday game versus the Raptors! Click the link for tickets from SeatGeek.com!

 

Front Court Dribbles

 

“Load Maintenance” Becoming A Problem in the NBA?”

 

The Cavaliers battled Dallas in an overtime win Saturday. Cleveland benefited from megastar Luca Doncic sitting the game out with a thigh injury. Doncic scored 33 in a Friday night Dallas win against Portland.

 

The Miami Heat were just fined $25,000 by the NBA for improper injury reporting last week. Against Oklahoma City on December 14th, Butler, Vincent, Cain, Yurtseven, and Jovic were listed as out in the pre-game injury report.

 

The Clippers, on December 15th, held out 4 starters – Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Reggie Jackson, and Ivica Zubac. Franklin, Ohio native shooting specialist Luke Kennard also sat.  The Clippers played rival Phoenix Suns, and the Suns built an early thirty point lead. I went to the game expecting to see at least some of those players play, as a long-time NBA fan. That didn’t happen!

 

Pop Started it!

 

Back in November of 2012, Coach Gregg Popovich of the Spurs started this mess by giving four key players the night off.  Popovich sent players Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, and Green home. Thus, they missed the last game of a 6 game road trip in Miami. Commissioner David Stern fined the Spurs $250,000.

 

This coaching practice has morphed into teams often giving star players off in the second game of scheduled back to back games. Fans anteing up hard earned dollars to see backup players play instead of stars have no say.

 

It wasn’t very long ago when the top NBA players – players named Jordan, Malone, Thomas, Barkley, O’Neal, Bryant, etc., NEVER missed games unless legitimately hurt.

 

Disappointing customers is not good business, and it says here that the NBA should curtail this load maintenance practice. It is out of hand right now.