The Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the win column after taking down the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night on the road, 114-101. But while the starters fought their way to Cleveland's first win in the City of Roses since 2013, it was Cedi Osman's push that might have made all the difference.
Osman, coming off the bench, hadn't played since Dec. 22 after being placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Missing six games didn't seem to slow Osman down in his return Friday night, however, shooting 5-for-9 with 14 points, three rebounds and a steal.
While Osman's return was a welcome sight, the starters held their own as well, with Darius Garland leading the way in scoring with 26 points, in addition to his six assists and a steal. Rondo put up 11 points coming off the bench, in addition to five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. "It's just another win," head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said."No, the thing that we talk about in growth and those types of things is just taking care of business and taking care of the job that's in front of you every night. We try not to get caught up in the past. We feel like this is a different bunch and a different group so all we're focused on is the job at hand every single night and I thought our guys did a great job of responding to that tonight.