Jordan Clarkson’s career-high 42 points was not enough for the Cavaliers lost in triple overtime to the Brooklyn Nets 148-139.
Scoring 42 points in a game is impressive, scoring 42 off the bench even more so. Jordan Clarkson did just that but was unable to propel the Cavaliers to victory Wednesday. Brooklyn was just too much in the third overtime period.
Clarkson made 16 of 34 shots, including seven from three-point range. Clarkson was the leading scorer in the contest. Cleveland was able to get contributions from Collin Sexton and Marquese Chriss as well. Scoring 24 and 23 points respectively. After that there is quite a drop-off in terms of scoring, the next highest scorer was a minutes restricted Cedi Osman with 13 points. Coming off an ankle injury Osman only played 25 minutes in the game.
Foul trouble and exhaustion got the best of the Cavaliers
Four Cavaliers players fouled out during the game. Larry Nance Jr, David Nwaba, Marquese Chriss and Ante Zizic. Nwaba and Zizic did foul out in the third overtime period while Nance and Chriss fouled out earlier.
Some of the Cavaliers played too long over the course of the game. This is due to foul outs by teammates, Cedi Osman’s minutes restriction and Kevin Love being inactive. All of this combined to stretch certain players too thin and by the end of the game were obviously exhausted.
D’Angelo Russell turned it on when it mattered most
Brooklyn Nets star D’Angelo Russell was at one point 1-11 from the field with two points. That did not last long as Russell ended up 13-30 with 36 points. Russell made shot after shot down the stretch to put the Cavaliers away. This is not an indictment about the Cavaliers defense, just that it was inevitable that Russell would catch fire. The problem was that the game continued past regulation and two overtime periods and Russell only seemed to get better as the game progressed.
Cavaliers notes
Kevin Love did not participate in the contest, but that was part of the plan to ease him back into action. Love should play regularly after the All-Star break.
Cedi Osman returned and played 25 minutes and should be able to play on a more regular basis after the break.
Larry Nance Jr.’s double-double streak came to an end after six games.
