Photo Credit: Getty Images
Darius Garland (24) erupted for 40 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers came from behind to extend their unbeaten streak to 12 games with a 132-126 defeat of the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
Twenty-four hours after their bruising win over the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cavs looked poised to suffer a huge upset after the Raptors opened up a 12-point lead late in the third quarter. But a late burst of scoring from Garland hauled the Cavs back into the contest and a lopsided 34-23 fourth quarter sealed a battling victory for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Garland finished with 40 points from 14-of-22 shooting - 14 points coming in a fourth-quarter flurry that swung the game decisively to Cleveland. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was left in no doubt as to the size of Garland's contribution to a win which leaves Cleveland leading the standings with a 33-4 record, six games clear of the reigning champion Boston Celtics. "He carried us," Atkinson said of Garland's performance. "This is the first game all year where I felt like one guy carried us. We weren't good but he single-handedly took over this game."
Atkinson said Garland's performance was further proof of why he should be a shoo-in for next month's All-Star game. "I respect the league but he's got to be in that top, All-Star tier. He's phenomenal. He completely took over the game and carried us." With Donovan Mitchell missing from the Cavaliers line-up, Garland's scoring support came from Evan Mobley with 21 points while Jarrett Allen provided 18 points with 15 rebounds, two blocks and a steal to cap a fine all-around display.
