Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ thriller of a 128-119 double-overtime road win over the Pistons on Saturday.
1. It sure felt like the Cavs really blew it, didn’t it? Then it seemed like they had it won. They it felt like they blew it again.
2. Then next thing you know, the game was in a second overtime.
3. Bottom line: Any win on the road is a good win, especially for a team like the Cavs, a team with young guards who barely got any type of second training camp and no offseason together.
4. The men in question — Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.
5. For the second straight game, each was very good. Sexton erupted for a game-high 32 points, marking the sixth straight game he’s finished with at least 25, dating back to last season.
6. Garland also had himself a night with 21 points and 12 assists. He may have had better games, but it’s really hard to remember them. So let’s just call this one the best. The young man is coming along nicely, no?
7. As coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “Our two young guards carried us and put us in a position to win.”
8. That was just the backcourt. This game also marked center Andre Drummond‘s return to Detroit for the first time since a February trade. He went for 23 points, 16 rebounds and basically reminded the Pistons of what they’re missing.
9. Drummond also threw a Magic Johnson-like bounce pass to a cutting Sexton in the second OT that basically sealed the deal. It was a beautiful basketball play — and the type of play these Cavs seem to be making a lot under Bickerstaff.
10. Through two games, it’s easy to like this team. So far, these Cavs have lots of fight. And it was all on display on this very night.
10. First, the Cavs built an 11-point lead. Later, they almost trailed by double digits in the third quarter. After that, they held the Pistons to 15 points in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.
11. But the Cavs got behind again, and this time, it really felt as if it was over. They were down by nine points with just more than 2:00 left in OT.
12. Somehow, someway, they kept making plays, taking stands on defense, and charged back to tie it again. The Cavs kept it going in the second overtime, and don’t look now, but they’re 2-0 for the first time since You Know Who was here in 2017.
13. Or about this — the Cavs are 2-0 without LeBron James on the team for the first time in 20 years (2000-01), per ESPN Stats & Info.
14. Bickerstaff on the win: “Multiple opportunities where we could’ve given in, multiple opportunities that we could’ve lost the fight. Every player, to a man, decided that was not going to happen. We will not quit and that’s a testament to those guys and building our identity.”
15. Kevin Love made his season debut, finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds. He missed the first game with an injured calf. Love’s fit moving forward is probably the biggest question mark facing the team. That’s not meant to rip Love. But it is fair to start wondering if the Cavs should make a strong effort to move him for just about anything, as written earlier.
16. Cedi Osman had a nice game in reserve with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. That included a 4-of-7 night on 3-pointers. As long as Osman keeps playing this well off the bench, he should keep coming off it. He simply might be more qualified to shine against opposing team’s backups.
17. Rookie starter Isaac Okoro played 42 minutes, took only four shots and didn’t score. That’s OK. He is learning the pro game. And he played pretty well otherwise, as the Cavs outscored the Pistons by 16 with Okoro on the floor. Only Garland (plus-19) finished with a higher plus-minus rating.
18. You also have to like what you’ve seen from veteran center JaVale McGee. He finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, and one game after going 6-of-7. On top of that, McGee drove the length of the court to throw down a monster dunk in the second quarter. The man has been a great addition so far.
19. Bickerstaff has now compiled a 7-6 record with the Cavs. It’s been a long time since a non-LeBron Cavs coach had a winning record after 13 games.
20. Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 28 points and 10 boards. Grant signed as a free agent after a strong season with the Nuggets. Blake Griffin finished with 19 points and Delon Wright tacked on 12.
21. The Cavs return home Sunday for an early-season back-to-back and a visit from the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. EST tipoff). This will be a true test as to where the Cavs stand, as the Sixers are again considered an Eastern Conference contender.
