The Short-Handed Cavaliers Face the Music Against Utah

The Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Utah Jazz Monday night, the 2nd, and from the get go, this looked like a very interesting match up for both teams. The story everyone was watching before the game was the upcoming Kevin Porter jr. making the start in place of Darius Garland, who was held out of the line up, and going head to head against the Jazz’s star Donovan Mitchell. Another injury the Cavs had to deal with was Tristan Thompson. Which the Cavs knew would hurt them in the paint with Rudy Gobert attacking all night.

The action got off to a hot start with a foul challenge not even five minutes into the game, and the Jazz hitting two quick triples. The action kept fast paced and aggressive, with the scoring led by Collin Sexton and Kevin Love for the Cavs, and Royce O’Neal for the Jazz who hit 3 Triples in the first quarter. The action kept fast paced up until the end of the fist quarter, however the Jazz took a small lead and ended the quarter with the 31-25 Lead.

The second quarter picked up right where the first left off. Two quick buckets from both teams and they were off to the races once more. Little defensive resistance was being put in the paint for either team. But the Wine & Gold took advantages off a few misses and took the lead with 8 minutes left in the half. However, the talent of Utah did not let that last, and tied the game with 3:32 remaining in the half. Neither team continued to give an inch, but Donovan Mitchell took things into his own hands, and gave the Jazz the lead, followed shortly by a Mike Conley three at the buzzer.

The Cavaliers’ kryptonite all year has been the third quarter, and tonight was no different as they came out sluggish and were settling for bad shots. Utah came out in the exact opposite demeanor and quickly made their lead a 14 point lead just 2 minutes into the third quarter. But the motive under new head coach, JB Bickerstaff has been to never quit and continue to fight, and Kevin Love did just that. Love drilled back to back threes trimming the lead down to 9 with 7 minutes to go in the third. But Donovan Mitchell didn’t let that continue by taking over the game once again. Drilling two three pointers and a big two handed dunk with 3 minutes left in the third to give Utah a 12 point advantage. The Jazz kept pouring on, as the Cavs’ kept giving them opportunities, and missing out on their own on the offensive end. Jazz kept the lead heading into the final quarter 94-82.

The Cavs’ struggles continued early in the fourth, this time coming in the form of former teammate Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson provided a spark for the Jazz off the bench contributing 13 points, and shot 75% behind the arc. The Jazz got the lead up to 18 early in the fourth, but JB Bickerstaff’s was remembered as the Cavs fought back and gained some momentum with a small run. The run did not last however, as the young core showed its lack of experience by giving up a few turnovers. Despite great defensive efforts by Kevin Porter JR. and Larry Nance JR. the Wine & Gold were not able to overcome the firepower of the Jazz’s offense. The Jazz ride to the finish line, despite a late surge from the Cavs, taking the W 126-113