Isaac Okoro stepped up big time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had their worst shooting night of the season, finishing below 40 percent from the floor for the first time this year. The team attempted a season-high 50 three-pointers and made just 15 of them.
Still, the Cavs took care of business in a double-digit win over the Washington Wizards. Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland combined for 65 points.
“It’s such a luxury,” Kenny Atkinson said. “Because if you don’t have those type of star players, you [only] score 80 points tonight. Really, they dig you out of a lot of holes.”
Mitchell and Garland both carried the offense on a night where no one else could score. Their shot creation led to numerous advantages — even if the Cavalier supporting cast couldn’t consistently convert on their open attempts. The jolt of energy from the backcourt kept Cleveland in front for most of the game. Meanwhile, Allen had his hands full with Evan Mobley out for the game. Allen responded with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his first 20+ point double-double since Nov. 24.
But the real hero of the game was Isaac Okoro, who set the tone defensively and was the only Cavalier who really had it going from downtown. Okoro drilled 3-4 three-point attempts to finish with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block.
“[Okoro’s] one of those guys you take for granted and you shouldn’t,” Atkinson said. “if you were going to give the star of the game tonight, I think you’d give it to him.”
The Cavaliers might have hoped for an easier game against the league’s worst team but surviving a shooting drought is worth acknowledging. Cleveland’s effort on the glass led to 16 offensive rebounds — showing that effort wasn’t a problem, it was actually the difference maker.
“Kept us alive,” Atkinson said. “We keep stats on who’s crashing and who’s not — so the guys, they get a kick out of that. We can still do better but that was a good sign tonight.”
