Many (OK, Two) Happy Returns!

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup was fully healthy for the first time since December 15th, and it looked like it. Good and bad. What a pleasure it was to have the return of Darius Garland ((Happy belated birthday to Darius and Isaac Okoro, both on the 26th, hence the happy returns, and also the returns of Garland and Mobley. This is a lot of explanation for a title joke that isn’t funny.)) and the second game back for Evan Mobley come against the lowly Detroit Pistons, because while the Cavs found inconsistency on defense in the returns, they worked through those issues in live game action to come out on top, 128-121.Garland and Mobley look happy to be back on the court, as they should be, rejoining a surging Cavs team that found identity and success in their absences. Garland looked like he had fresh legs and played with excitement, pouring in eight first-quarter points on his way to a 19-point night in just 20 minutes. Mobley still looks a little grounded so far, not being looked at for some lob opportunities against the Pistons, but his defense in the paint while Jarrett Allen rested allowed the Cavs to be aggressive in the passing lanes almost the entire night, racking up 13 steals as a team, led by Okoro’s four. Mobley providing backup center minutes is important for a Cavs team that looks like it has a stacked 10-man rotation right now, showing any trade deadline additions or Tristan Thompson’s return may be simply icing on the cake. Along with Allen, Donovan Mitchell was still at an All-Star level on Wednesday, putting up 45 points, grabbing clutch 4th quarter rebounds, and continuing his elite playmaking with eight assists. With Garland out, Mitchell was the Cavs’ starting point guard in addition to being their star scorer. We may often take the points for granted with Donovan, but his ability to step up his overall game in Garland’s absence cannot be ignored. Mitchell is averaging career highs in assists and steals per game right now for the Cavs, and while his shot attempts should go down a little with the Cavs at full health, his slightly lower-than-usual shooting percentage from three (34.4% this year compared to 36.4% career) may rise up again due to open looks generated by Garland’s playmaking. Mitchell has been special passing the ball this year, and combined with Allen’s elite defense at the rim and getting steals tonight while bringing in 11 rebounds, the Cavs duo didn’t miss a beat. 

45 ➡️ 5. @spidadmitchell | @smerrill05 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/cettIz1mWI

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 1, 2024

The team defense, however, wasn’t crisp against the Pistons while the Cavs worked Garland and Mobley back. While Detroit hit more jumpers and tough shots than normal, Cleveland also allowed more drives and open shots than their usual tight team defense. More than a few times, Garland and Mobley missed rotations or were a step slow on defending the lane, but this is to be expected after their long layoffs. Garland also brought his peppy step to his jumpshot, but still had a few silly passes that led to turnovers, some of that being rust and some of that being just the player he is. Darius is a star with the ball in his hands, you take the sloppy turnovers as part of the package. In the 3rd quarter, with the Pistons up 71-70, Garland got a steal and stutter-stepped his way into a corner 3, followed by a Mitchell steal and solo fast break score to regain the lead at 75-71, quickly. When Garland and Mobley both went down in December, the season felt like it might be on the brink of sinking. However, All-Star efforts from Mitchell and Allen, with starring support from Okoro, Sam Merrill ((Who had a timely 11 point 2nd quarter Wednesday)), and Georges Niang (Wwho continues to impress with toughness on defense, ballhandling, and scoring around the basket unexpected from the spot-up 3pt minivan I thought he was)) not only kept the season afloat but surged Cleveland back into the conversation for any spot in the Eastern Conference other than probably 1st. Darius and Evan round out this Cavs roster perfectly. We may not get an exciting trade deadline move, but once the rust shakes off, no other additions could have brought to the Cavs what getting their young duo back can bring. If the Cavs can stay healthy, from here on out, many happy returns to all of us.