Point guard Darius Garland has major impact on Cavs' success

CLEVELAND — Darius Garland has never been one to doubt his abilities. The Cavaliers point guard has been on a recent tear that started when sidekick Donovan Mitchell was forced to the sideline with a strained right hamstring. Garland was joined by rookie Craig Porter Jr. in the starting backcourt Wednesday night in Cleveland's embarrassing 129-96 loss to the visiting Miami Heat. Garland had just 14 points and three assists in 27 minutes. Heading into the Miami game, he was averaging 28.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in his previous three games. He was shooting .500 from the field (30-of-60) and .400 from the 3-point line (6-of-15). That included a 32-point, eight-assist night in the overtime victory at Philadelphia on Tuesday. There's no question the significance of Garland on the Cavs (8-7). "We know how important Darius is to us," Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "He is the leader of this team. The ball is in his hands and he's got the keys (to the offense)." The 6-foot-1, 192-pounder is in his fifth season with the Cavs, who host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. "If you don't have confidence in yourself, it won't show in games," he said. "I go in with the mindset that nobody can guard me. That's been my mindset for a couple of years now. "I think I'm one of the best guards in this league. I just have to come in with that confidence and positively that nobody can stay in front of (me) out there." At his size, he had better be quick — and he is. Garland can get to the basket on most players in the league. On the season, he's averaging 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists and shooting .477 from the field and .333 from behind the arc. "He can beat just about anybody in the league when he's going downhill," Bickerstaff said. "Not only does he have the ability to create for himself, but (he puts) so much pressure on the defense because he can find his teammates as well." Mitchell, who has missed the last four games, appears close to returning to the lineup. He was assigned to the G League Cleveland Charge on Wednesday, presumably so he could practice with them in preparation for his return. Swingman Isaac Okoro, who has missed the last nine games with a left knee injury, was also assigned to the G League. Porter, meanwhile, continues to flourish. He had a team-high 16 points and five assists against the Heat. He has scored 10 or more points in five of his first 10 games to become the second Cavs undrafted rookie since 1966 to accomplish the feat (the other was Henry James in 1990-91). Porter Jr. is the first NBA player to do this since Brandon Williams in 2021-22. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.