Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ surprising 117-110 home win over the Boston Celtics on St. Patty’s Day.
1. For one night, the Cavs’ future came to life. Or at least what they hope the future can become. It was their four young guys coming out with energy and refusing to fold when the Celtics made a fourth-quarter run.
2. It was rookie Isaac Okoro coming up with the highlight of the night, a monster dunk over Celtics star Jayson Tatum and making the free throw for a sensational three-point play.
3. It was Collin Sexton playing his best all-around game in about two weeks, scoring 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting. For good measure, he also collected seven rebounds and passed for six assists.
4. It was Darius Garland playing equally as well in one his best games as a pro. The second-year guard was high-energy and played with tons of confidence in scoring 25 points and making nine of his 16 shots. He too tallied six assists.
5. And it was Larry Nance Jr. giving an incredibly underrated performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds and loads of hustle and general leadership. “He steadies us,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, and man, ain’t that the truth.
6. By the way, Nance went 7-of-8 shooting.
7. By the way, Okoro added 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Video of his monster fourth-quarter dunk is below. Bet you can’t watch it just once.
8. Again, this is the promise of the future. This is what the Cavs keep telling everyone they will be some day — running, exciting, winning. It was only one game. But it was a fun one in which the Cavs held the Celtics to a measly 38 points in the first half.
9. More Bickerstaff: “They junked the game up and went to that zone defense, and our guys didn’t falter. … We scored 35 points in the fourth quarter. That’s big-time for us.”
10. The Cavs (15-25) didn’t get much production from the bench, though Cedi Osman (10 points) and Dean Wade (eight) had their moments. It will be interesting to see who is still in reserve after the trade deadline next Thursday.
11. Keep in mind that the Cavs had lost four straight entering the night. So they really needed to win a game — any game — to feel good about themselves. Beating a team that had won five of seven and was considered an Eastern Conference contender entering the season makes it that much more promising.
12. Granted, the Celtics (20-20) have their own issues, with former Boston forward Brian Scalabrine saying they have no identity. They also looked pooped after a tough loss to the Utah Jazz the previous night. But the Cavs also played the previous night (at Miami) and this is the NBA. There are no excuses.
13. More Bickerstaff: “What it comes down to for us is belief and confidence. As we talk about growing and all those things, it’s all nice, but the results are going to give guys confidence and belief. So giving guys the belief that they can is the most important thing that we need moving forward.”
14. Jarrett Allen added seven points and seven boards for the Cavs. Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points and Jaylen Brown scored 28.
