The Cleveland Cavaliers were handily defeated by the Utah Jazz on Friday night, preventing the Cavs from clearing their name as the only team in the league without double-digit wins while the Jazz extended their win streak to six games. Friday’s contest didn’t start off looking as if it would be a blowout, with Cleveland down just two points (18-20) late in the first quarter.
However, with Utah’s dominance inside — they had 60 points in the paint — and Cleveland’s inability to either stop players on the perimeter or play adequate pick-and-roll defense because centers Ante Zizic and Channing Frye are neither quick, nor athletic, the game got out of hand for the Cavs and quickly.