Friday night’s contest might be one the Cavaliers chalk up to All-Star Break rust and a major lineup change – and just move on to Sunday’s stop in Atlanta.
The Cavaliers fell behind early, scored nine total points in the third quarter and took one on the chin in their first game of the season’s second half – dropping a 116-82 decision at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Cleveland got two major pieces back in Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr., but it also was without starting point guard Darius Garland. Without Garland, the Cavs totaled just 13 assists on the night – five combined by the starting lineup, one fewer than Lonzo Ball.