The odds are stacked against the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series because the injury bug continues to haunt them.
According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the Cleveland Cavaliers are facing the prospect of missing Caris LeVert due to a bone bruise in his left knee since he is listed as questionable to play alongside Donovan Mitchell (calf) and Jarrett Allen (rib).
The 29-year-old swingman is coming off a strong performance in Game 4, where he notched 19 points, five rebounds, three rebounds, and two steals on 50 percent shooting in 39 minutes in the 109-102 loss against the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
Caris LeVert, who started in Donovan Mitchell’s place in Game 4, has been a key player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 10.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game this postseason, playing as their Sixth Man. In the regular season, he averaged 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 68 contests.
Cleveland Cavaliers need everyone to step up to stay alive
Assuming Caris LeVert, Donovan Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen all miss Game 5, the Cleveland Cavaliers must dig deep into their rotation to compensate.
Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will be tasked with carrying a heavier load on both ends of the floor, while Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Dean Wade, and Sam Merrill will play more minutes.
Garland had a team-high 30 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals, and four three-pointers in Game 4, while Mobley tallied 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor.
Marcus Morris Sr. got a DNP in Game 4, and there’s a big chance he’ll play in Game 5 because head coach JB Bickerstaff is short of options.
