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Max Strus Max Strus hits three 3-pointers in Game 5 loss
Wed, May 15, 2024, 9:21 PM
Max Strus scored 12 points (3-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs) with seven rebounds, nine assists, and three 3-pointers in 44 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Celtics.
Analysis: Strus didn't have a good night shooting the basketball, but the overall line was solid for DFS players who may have slotted him into their lineups. The nine assists were a postseason high for the Cavaliers wing, who was asked to take on additional offensive responsibilities with Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert unavailable. Based on his Yahoo ADP, Strus was expected to provide late-round value this season, and that's precisely what he did. Starting 70 games during the regular season, Strus established career-high averages in points (12.2), rebounds (4.8), assists (4.0), steals (0.9), and blocks (0.4). The best way for Strus to threaten top 100 status would be to improve the field-goal percentage, as he shot just 41.8% in 2023-24. |
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Darius Garland Darius Garland struggles in season-ending defeat
Wed, May 15, 2024, 9:10 PM
Darius Garland accounted for 11 points (4-of-17 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), nine assists, and two steals in 43 minutes in Wednesday's 113-98 loss to the Celtics.
Analysis: Boston eliminated Cleveland in five games, an unsurprising outcome given the Cavaliers' many injuries. What was incredibly disappointing about Game 5 was Garland's performance. After scoring 30 points and dishing out seven assists in Game 4, he shot 4-of-17 from the field and missed all four of his 3-point attempts. As with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, injuries were a significant factor for Garland, as he was limited to 57 regular-season games. While his value in 8-cat formats wasn't far from his Yahoo ADP (40.3), he failed to crack the top 100 in 9-cat. Selecting Garland within the top 50 of standard league drafts wouldn't be a bad idea, but fantasy managers can't be blamed if they decide to look elsewhere next fall. |
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Marcus Morris Marcus Morris goes off for 25 points in Game 5
Wed, May 15, 2024, 9:00 PM
Marcus Morris Sr. shot 10-of-13 from the field and 0-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday's loss to the Celtics, accumulating 25 points, three rebounds, and five 3-pointers in 33 minutes.
Analysis: With Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert sidelined, the Cavaliers needed additional scoring from someone. Enter Morris, who went off for a season-high 25 points. To say this was a departure from the norm for the veteran center would be an understatement; he scored 30 points total during the regular season and reached double figures once during the postseason (Game 5 against Orlando). Morris will be a free agent this summer, and his days as a reliable fantasy option are in the rear-view mirror. |
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Evan Mobley Evan Mobley scores game-high 33 points in Game 5
Wed, May 15, 2024, 8:55 PM
Evan Mobley shot 15-of-24 from the field and 3-of-5 from the foul line in Wednesday's 113-98 loss to the Celtics, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocked shots in 43 minutes.
Analysis: With Jarrett Allen again sidelined, Mobley did his best to help the Cavaliers force a Game 6. He fell short in his efforts, but this was a good performance for the third-year big man. Statistically speaking, Mobley's 2023-24 season went as planned. He had a Yahoo ADP of 41.7 and produced at that level in 8- and 9-cat formats, ranking behind only Donovan Mitchell among Cavaliers players. However, Mobley only appeared in 50 regular season games due to injury. While capable of providing greater value to fantasy managers, Mobley sharing the court with Allen may limit his ceiling. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (ribs) out for Game 5 Wednesday
Wed, May 15, 2024, 5:33 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion) is out for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: The Cavaliers face long odds to extend their season, as Allen is one of three rotation players ruled out for Game 5. Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert are also out for Wednesday's game. With Allen sidelined, Evan Mobley will continue to serve as the starting center for the Cavaliers. |
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Caris LeVert Caris LeVert (knee) downgraded to out Wednesday
Wed, May 15, 2024, 5:31 PM
NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert (left knee bone bruise) is out for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Celtics.
Analysis: After injuring his knee during Monday's Game 4 defeat, LeVert will miss what could be Cleveland's final game of the season. He joins Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen on the sideline, with Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade moving into the starting lineup. Sam Merrill will also play more minutes, as Cleveland lacks healthy options heading into Game 5. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell (calf) ruled out for Game 5 Weds.
Wed, May 15, 2024, 5:29 PM
NBA Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) is out for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: The status update is unsurprising, given that it was reported on Wednesday afternoon that Mitchell was expected to miss a second consecutive game. With Caris LeVert also out, Dean Wade moves into the starting lineup, and Isaac Okoro shifts from the four to the three. |
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Dean Wade CLE starting Garland, Strus, Okoro, Wade, Mobley
Wed, May 15, 2024, 5:25 PM
Camryn Justice on Twitter
Darius Garland, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Evan Mobley will start Wednesday's Game 5 against the Celtics.
Analysis: Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert are all out for Game 5, which could be Cleveland's final game of the season. Due to those absences, Okoro and Wade will start, which also puts more pressure on Garland, Strus, and Mobley to produce on offense. |
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Donovan Mitchell Shams: Donovan Mitchell expected to miss Game 5
Wed, May 15, 2024, 10:37 AM
Shams Charania on X
Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) is expected to remain sidelined for Game 5 against Boston on Wednesday, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Mitchell missed Game 4, and now he is on track to miss Game 5. Recent rumors suggest that multiple teams will be interested in trading for Mitchell this summer, so unless the short-handed Cavs are able to pull off an upset in Boston on Wednesday, there is a chance that Mitchell has played his final game for Cleveland. Caris LeVert should remain in the starting unit in his place on Wednesday. |
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Caris LeVert Caris LeVert (knee) questionable for Game 5 Weds.
Tue, May 14, 2024, 4:39 PM
NBA Injury Report
Caris LeVert (left knee bone bruise) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Starting for the injured Donovan Mitchell (calf), LeVert was seen limping during Monday's Game 4 defeat. He suffered a knee injury that could sideline him for Wednesday's elimination game. Max Strus and Sam Merrill are of added importance, and starting point guard Darius Garland will have to take on a heavy offensive workload if LeVert and Mitchell cannot play. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell (calf) questionable for Game 5
Tue, May 14, 2024, 4:36 PM
NBA Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Trailing the Celtics by three games to one, getting their best player back would help the Cavaliers immensely. Mitchell did not play in Monday's Game 4 defeat, with Caris LeVert replacing him in the starting lineup. However, with LeVert (knee) also questionable, the Cavaliers could be without two of its top scorers for Game 5. Max Strus and Sam Merrill also became more important contributors with Mitchell sidelined on Monday. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (ribs) questionable for Game 5 Weds.
Tue, May 14, 2024, 4:33 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Injured during Cleveland's first-round series against Orlando, Allen has missed the team's last seven games with a rib contusion. His absence has shifted Evan Mobley into the starting center position, with Isaac Okoro filling the void in the starting lineup. Expect that to be the case if Allen cannot play in Game 5, with Dean Wade also experiencing an increase in playing time. |
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Darius Garland Darius Garland drops 30 in Game 4 loss to Boston
Mon, May 13, 2024, 9:24 PM
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 30 points (12-of-27 FGs), three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four triples in a 109-102 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 on Monday.
Analysis: Cleveland had to play this game without Donovan Mitchell, who was sidelined with a calf injury. That meant that Garland was going to be asked to do a lot more, and he rose to the occasion. It wasn't enough for them to get the win, but he had by far his best game of this postseason. If Mitchell remains sidelined for Game 5 on Wednesday, Garland will once again have to orchestrate Cleveland's offense like he did in this game. This has been a disappointing playoff run for Garland, but this was an encouraging performance that showed that he can still shine when he needs to. |
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Caris LeVert Caris LeVert puts up 19/5/3/2/1 line in start
Mon, May 13, 2024, 9:16 PM
Caris LeVert got the start on Monday and finished with 19 points (9-of-18 FGs), five rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and one triple against the Celtics.
Analysis: Donovan Mitchell has been the star for Cleveland throughout this postseason, but he was sidelined for this game with a calf strain that started bothering him in Game 3. LeVert slid into the starting unit in his place, and he turned in a third straight solid performance. He struggled in Game 1, but he has averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists over their last three games. If Mitchell remains sidelined for Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, LeVert should remain in the starting unit as Cleveland looks to keep their season alive. |
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Max Strus Max Strus scores all 15 points in first half
Mon, May 13, 2024, 9:09 PM
Max Strus lit up the Celtics with 15 points (5-of-12 FGs), seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and five 3-pointers against Boston in Game 4 on Monday.
Analysis: Strus got off to a hot start in this game and entered the break with 15 points on five triples as they trailed by just five points. However, things were much different in the second half. He missed all five of his shot attempts but added six rebounds and six assists before fouling out late in the fourth. It was a strange half for Strus, since most of his production usually comes from beyond the arc, as he showcased in the first half. If Donovan Mitchell remains out for Game 5 on Wednesday, Strus will be asked to step up offensively once again. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (ribs) out again for Game 4 Monday
Mon, May 13, 2024, 5:26 PM
Evan Dammarell on X
Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion) will remain sidelined for Game 4 against Boston on Monday.
Analysis: Allen will miss a seventh straight game on Monday due to this rib contusion, which means that Isaac Okoro will remain in the starting unit. They will be extremely short-handed, with Donovan Mitchell also sidelined, so they will have to rely on big games from Darius Garland and Evan Mobley in order to have a chance. |
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Donovan Mitchell Woj: Donovan Mitchell (calf) ruled out for Game 4
Mon, May 13, 2024, 5:05 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on X
Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) has been ruled out for Game 4 against Boston on Monday.
Analysis: Mitchell's calf started bothering him in Game 3, and now Cleveland will have to play Game 4 without their star player. This is a massive loss for the Cavs, who will have to try to defend homecourt without Spida, who is averaging 31.7 points per game in this series. Caris LeVert should start in his place, but everyone will have to step up for them to have a chance. |
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Donovan Mitchell Donovan Mitchell (calf) questionable for Game 4
Sun, May 12, 2024, 4:45 PM
NBA Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell (left calf strain) is questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Mitchell played 43 minutes in Saturday's Game 3 loss and injured his calf in the process. His injury is especially concerning for a team that was already down one starter (Jarrett Allen). If Mitchell cannot play on Monday, Caris LeVert is the player who will have to step up. Also, the Cavaliers will need more production from Darius Garland. |
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Jarrett Allen Jarrett Allen (ribs) questionable for Game 4 Mon.
Sun, May 12, 2024, 4:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion) is questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: While the Cavaliers have consistently listed Allen as questionable, he has not played since Game 4 of the team's first-round series against Orlando. The Cavaliers will stick with the same rotation if he cannot play on Monday. Evan Mobley is the starting center, with Isaac Okoro filling the void in the starting lineup. |
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Dean Wade Dean Wade logs 17 minutes, goes 5/3/3 in return
Sat, May 11, 2024, 10:20 PM
Dean Wade accounted for five points, three rebounds, three assists, a block and a three-pointer across 17 minutes in Saturday's loss to Boston.
Analysis: Wade returned after over two months on the sidelines, and he made an instant impact. The numbers don't leap off the page, but he provided floor-spacing and meaningful peripheral contributions in his first game back. Marcus Morris Sr. and Tristan Thompson logged just five minutes apiece, and Wade's return should continue to cut into their playing time. Expect Wade's playing time to gradually increase as he works his way back into game shape. |
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