CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade for up-and-coming center Jarrett Allen (and Taurean Prince) was officially made hours before Friday night’s knockdown against the New York Knicks.
Eventually, Allen will be inside the team’s long-term game. But not yet.
The place still belongs to Andre Drummond, who continued his monstrous start in the 2020-21 season and during the 106-103 victory showed that he is not prepared to give it up without a fight. The Cavs are excited about Drummond’s historic performance and have regained their winning style and lost a frustrating three-gameer, despite only nine healthy players.
“You can’t talk enough about what Dre did and the impact he could have on both sides of the floor at stake,” head coach JB Bickerstaff said. “He can punish you. I thought he was great. If he plays with that determination and that power, there are not many people who can stop him 1-on-1. ”
In the first half, Drummond threw in 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, which according to Elias Sports Bureau was the first Cavalier to post the fine numbers in more than 20 years. Drummond is also the first player in the NBA since he ruled double MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to achieve the feat in any half. The Bucks’ star did it last March.
During the second half of Friday night, the Knicks began bringing in more double teams in hopes of limiting Drummond’s touchdown. But Drummond was untouched. He kept posting, bullying the paint in and working his way up to the release line. On other possessions he would spray the ball around – the extra attention that the teammates create of good quality. On the other side of the floor, Drummond dismissed passes, swung shots and completed defensive possessions by snatching rebounds.
In the final seconds, as Drummond underlined his starry night by hiding the ball, forcing a turnover and stepping to the foul line twice more, MVP chants echoed through a mostly empty arena with only about 2,000 fans allowed due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
The message was clear. Married from hometown. From Drummond. A reminder that he can still be one of the most dominant centers of the league.
Drummond tied its career high with 33 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 13-of-19 from the foul line with 23 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. This is his 43rd career 20-20 game, the third most since the merger of ABA-NBA. This is the first 30-20 game for a Cavalier since Carlos Boozer in 2004 and only sixth place in franchise history. The best statistical point-rebound night in Cleveland since Elmore Smith during 1978.
“I only play with nine guys, so I have to carry a lot,” Drummond said. ‘Just in good condition and in the right place at the right time. I try to put my team in a situation to win and to have fun while I’m out there. ”
Cedi Osman, the player in danger of losing the playing time to Prince, scored a season-high 25 points, with five assists and three rebounds. Each member of Cleveland’s starting lineup scored double, with Larry Nance Jr. who added 14 points, and Damyean Dotson and Isaac Okoro contributed 13 apiece.
Drummond was the star. When Koby Altman, general manager, spoke to Drummond on Thursday morning about the surprising trade, Altman told him that he should be the same dominant force from the first few weeks. Altman reassured the two-time All-Star that nothing would change with his role and the organization was delighted to have so many high-quality options in a cluttered courtyard – even with many of the speculations focusing on a looming Drummond deal or finally free departure after the season.
Apparently Drummond heard him loud and clear. When the buzzer sounded and the Cavs started celebrating, Drummond received a hug from every teammate. The last one comes from Allen, the expected future at midfield, which will form a deadly 1-2 pass with Drummond for the duration of his Cleveland period.
Who knows how long it will be. Friday night showed why the Altman-led front office should not be in a hurry.
KPJ observation
One day after attending the practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, promising sophomore swingman Kevin Porter Jr. allowed to go to the bench with his teammates on Friday night. Porter has yet to play this season, after several troubling months that included an arrest in November. Porter, who has been with the team for the past two days, was part of the organization’s reintegration plan.
Not ready yet
Although the portion of the Cavs of Allen and Prince was officially made Wednesday, neither of the two players was available due to reasons beyond their control. According to Bickerstaff, one of the many players in another team was still waiting to be cleared for a physical position following the giant deal that James Harden sent from Houston to Brooklyn. Allen and Prince watched the game from the bench and cheered on their new teammates.
Following
After it was announced on Friday that some games against Washington have been postponed due to the Wizards’ COVID-19 issues, the Cavs will have a few days off. Their next game is Wednesday night at home against the Brooklyn Nets. Tipoff is set for 19:00
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New Cavs face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers – themed face masks for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds are donated to charity.
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