Those within the Cleveland Cavaliers organization have said that their priority is to be ready for the playoffs. That means that they aren’t chasing every last regular-season win like they’ve done in the past.
As such, they will be resting a few key players on the front end of a back-to-back in addition to having some slightly discouraging news on Darius Garland.
Garland reaggravated his toe injury that forced him to miss several playoff games last spring and the start of this season after surgery this summer. He left in the third quarter of Monday’s game against the Miami Heat and didn’t return. As of now, the team hasn’t provided an official update on his injury other than to say that he will be missing Wednesday’s game with “injury management” to his left great toe.
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The Cavs are also choosing to rest both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. This makes sense since both played over 38 minutes in Monday’s overtime thriller.
Miami may not be a good team, but they are difficult to play. Head coach Eric Spoelstra has done a good job of overhauling a directionless team and giving them an identity to hang their hats on. They play extremely fast, as evidenced by their league-leading pace. The Heat want to bait their opponent into a track meet like they did with the Cavs on Monday.
Wednesday’s game is once again going to be played at a high pace. Without Garland, that would’ve put a greater burden than you’d like on Mitchell and Mobley to carry the offense. While that is acceptable on some nights, the combination of the opponent and this being on the front end of a back-to-back makes punting this game an understandable option.
It’s also worth noting that it could make sense for the Cavs to sit some of their key rotation players that will be available in Miami — like Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter — in Thursday’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors.
Cleveland might be missing Larry Nance Jr. as well. He’s missed Cleveland’s last two games. He’s questionable for Wednesday’s contest as he’s dealing with a left knee contusion.
The Heat will be shorthanded as well. They will be without Bam Adebayo (toe sprain) and Tyler Herro (ankle surgery)
