Cavaliers: Lamar Stevens staying ready, not getting down about lack of playing time

INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers coaches always know what they're going to get from Lamar Stevens. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward is an undrafted free agent who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He plays with aggression, defends and won't back down from many challenges. Because of injuries to center Jarrett Allen (ankle) and forward Dean Wade (knee), Stevens made a rare start Sunday in the Cavs' 129-124 loss to Minnesota. He responded with a season-high 15 points, six rebounds and a block in 30 minutes. Stevens had been out of Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation, but stayed ready nonetheless. "I just trust that the time is going to come," the former Penn State standout said. "I prepare every night like I am going to play. When I don't (play), I don't let it discourage me. I work even harder for when that time will come." Stevens, 25, has appeared in just four games this season and averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds and shot .467 from the field and .875 from the foul line. He is not a 3-point threat and has missed his two attempts this year. The third-year pro has not gotten off the bench in nine games this year. "He gives you that toughness, that grit you're looking for," Bickerstaff said. "Defensively, he (has the) versatility to take on different positions. He can slow down guys in one-on-one situations. He has the ability to find and create shots, also. I thought he did a nice job for us." Stevens doesn't need to meet with Bickerstaff regarding his role, or lack thereof. "I know what is expected of me at this point," he said. "I just go out and try my best and be the best I can be. "I thought I was ready (Sunday). I prepared for this moment. I felt confident I could go out and be me." Stevens was on the floor in the fourth quarter when the Cavs outscored the Timberwolves 40-25 and whittled a 24-point deficit to two points in the late going. "It was a rough three quarters," he said. "I thought we came out really flat. It's something you'll see after a long West Coast trip. We had a chance to win the game down the stretch. "I felt the momentum shifted in our favor in the fourth quarter." Bickerstaff said the Cavs had two choices entering the fourth quarter trailing 104-84. "Either they could quit or fight," he said. "These guys won't quit." Notes Guard Darius Garland's career-high 51-point outburst was the first 50-point game in the NBA this season. The 76ers' Joel Embiid scored 59 in a win over the Jazz later Sunday night.Garland was six points shy of the franchise record set by LeBron James in 2017 and Kyrie Irving in 2015. His 27 points in the fourth quarter were the most by a Cavs player in franchise history and were seven off the Cavs record for points in any quarter. Kevin Love had 34 points in the first quarter vs. Portland on Nov. 23, 2016.Garland was 10-of-14 from the 3-point line, one off Irving's franchise record when he converted 11 of 14 vs. Portland on Jan. 28, 2015. C.J. Miles also made 10 of 14 threes Jan. 7, 2014, vs. Philadelphia. The Cavs made 17-of-33 from behind the arc (.515) vs. Minnesota, the fifth time this season they've made at least 15 3-pointers in a game. Cleveland has also scored 120 or more points five times this year. The Cavs travel to Milwaukee at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @BobCavsinsider.