THE struggling Cleveland Cavaliers bested the Phoenix Suns at their home court at Quicken Loans Arena with the score of 111-98.
The Cavaliers, who are also struggling this season, relied on their improving young player, forward Cedi Osman, who posted 19 points and 5 boards and assists. This was followed up by their star forward Kevin Love having a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards, center Ante Zizic and guard Jordan Clarkson with 15 each, and forward Larry Nance Jr. with 14.
Meanwhile, the Suns have guard Devin Booker who scored 30 points, forward Kelly Oubre Jr. with 23, center Deandre Ayton with a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards, and forward Josh Jackson with 12 points. Even with these massive numbers, the Suns weren’t able to pull off a win. Besides the names mentioned, no other Suns player managed to score six points and above in this game.
In the first quarter, it was a pretty tight game. The Suns were able to capitalize in the first few minutes with dunks and smart passes yet the Cavaliers chipped away their lead. The quarter ended with the score of 28-23 in favor of the Suns.
In the second quarter, the Cavaliers kept throwing lob passes to their bigman Nance Jr. which gave the Cavaliers the momentum to take the lead at halftime with 55-51.
During the third, the Suns tried to storm back with their forward Oubre Jr.’s barrage of threes. Yet the Cavaliers still kept their pace going with lob passes and inside shots which the Suns have no answer for. The last 12 minutes was a breeze for the Cavs as the Suns ran out of fuel and the Cavaliers cruised to victory against them.
The Cavaliers are now 13-46 in the season while the Suns lose for the 16th time, having the record of 11-49 in the season. (Jayvee Gulfan, USC intern)