Former runners-up to the Celtics in the East, the Cavaliers recorded a third defeat in a row last night, and the score says a lot about the rout suffered in Miami: 121-84! And this while the team found Evan Mobley to support Jarrett Allen in the paint. Except that the infirmary remains copiously stocked with Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade… The three account for 40% of the team's points. This is why JB Bickerstaff does not blame those who have been holding the house for weeks.
“We asked so much of these guys…” sighs the Cavaliers coach. “We asked them to carry everyone's burden and do more because of all the hurts we are going through. I think that showed tonight. It caught up with us.”
“We are exhausted”
For JB Bickerstaff, his players “are worn out mentally and physically”. “It’s up to all of us to find the solution. There are no excuses. It's not easier. Tonight was one of those matches where, collectively, we let go. It’s not characteristic of this group, but there are evenings like that…”
Facing a vengeful Heat after having suffered an equivalent spanking against the Pelicans, Cleveland signed its worst performance of the season with only 84 points and an offensive efficiency of only 88 points on 100 possessions.
“They were tougher than us. We are exhausted” confirms Darius Garland. “This is what it is. Honestly, this month is really difficult. It's brutal. We try to fight with what we have. »
14 matches in 14 different cities!
The Cavaliers can rest assured, the Celtics and the Nuggets have also been spanked this season. Just last night, the Thunder lost by 25 points in Milwaukee. “There are evenings like that” to use JB Bickerstaff’s expression. The problem is that the Cavaliers have an insane schedule. In “back-to-back” this Monday, they are on a series of 14 matches in 25 matches. Fourteen meetings in fourteen different cities!
The good news is that they welcome the Hornets tonight, the ideal opponent to get back on track.
“We’re going to stay in this no matter what.”promises Darius Garland. “That’s what we’re trying to do. We don't want to disappoint each other, so we try to act for each other. As long as we keep fighting and trusting each other, we'll know we'll have our guys and when we get to April we'll have to be ready. This is our main concern at the moment. In the meantime, we’re just trying to get by.”
