Amidst a four-game win streak, Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton has been out-dueling a series of recent All-Star guards in Trae Young, Ben Simmons, John Wall and Victor Oladipo, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Sexton, frequently called the “cultural backbone” for the club by members of its front office, is averaging 29.7 PPG during the run.
The Cavaliers have a game in progress tonight against the Pacers, a club that boasts another high-level guard in Malcolm Brogdon, though he has yet to make an All-Star team. With a 14-21 record, Cleveland is currently two games behind the 10-seeded Bulls and the 9-seeded Pacers for a play-in slot in the East. Should the Cavaliers make the cut, Sexton will surely be leading the way.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago analyzes recent comments from tight-lipped new Bulls team president Arturas Karnišovas. Johnson discusses the growing mutual respect between Karnišovas and his new coaching hire, Billy Donovan, and how Karnišovas’s comments would seem to indicate his belief in Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen as long-term building blocks.
- The big new addition to the Bucks roster this offseason, new starting point guard Jrue Holiday, has had a major positive impact on the club, writes Michael Pina of Sports Illustrated. Pina examines how Holiday’s two-way impact could be the key to getting Milwaukee to its first NBA Finals with All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. When Holiday is available, the Bucks rank in the top-four on both sides of the ball.
- Promising Pistons power forward Sekou Doumbouya is grappling with second-year growing pains according to Rod Beard of the Detroit News. “To his bad luck, he’s been playing behind Blake [Griffin] and Jerami [Grant],” head coach Dwayne Casey said of Doumbouya’s limited action thus far. “We need to get him some more minutes some kind of way, but he’s got to be ready to get out once he steps in there condition-wise, physically and I love his approach, attitude and seriousness about the game.”
Sexton is better than overrated Kemba Walker.
Trade Coby and Lauri to NO for Lonzo and a first. Lauri is overrated and Coby can’t play D. Ben Gordon 2.0.
Which is exactly why the Pels, with the worst defense in the league, will jump on this trade offer right? Giving Zion and Ingram everything they don’t need.
If you get rid of Lauri and Coby who else besides Lavine is gonna actually hit shots? SMH…
Gonna have a tough time competing when your entire backcouet doesn’t/can’t play D
Holiday is a good fit with Bucks. Good to see it working out. Jrue has never been to Finals, like Bucks. So they should all be hungry now.
Not here to say told you so. Not here to toot my horn. But always said Smith had to leave NY to find success. Many here killed this guy. Simply cause he was overwhelmed by toxic situation and hype. NY can be too much for any young athlete. Too quick to kill a guy whose 20-22 yrs old. When a young guy has talent it’s your job to bring it out. And make it work for your team. Knicks didn’t do that. Pistons looking like they might, good to see. Another solid night for DSJ
Against Raptors 10 pts, 11 ast, 12 reb. Yes that’s a triple double in 27.09 mins. That’s real talent.
The fast food generation gives up quick on players. I’m not big on fast food.
I don’t know what happened to him in New York. I thought some team would eventually salvage him tho. He can score.
When the Cavs’ real PG, Garland, got injured with about a 15-point lead, TJ Mcconnell dominated the game with a 16-13-10STEALS night. Nothing against Brogdon (29) or ‘Young Bull’Sexton (32) but…
Why is Mcconnell so overlooked & underpaid? He is swift & assured and brought the team along.
McConnell has just gotten better and better. Like a poor man’s Mike Conley now. Wish the Bulls had him.