Tyler Herro recently talked some trash to Darius Garland, saying that he doesn’t play defense.
That’ll be true literally on Saturday, as Garland was ruled out for Game 3 vs. the Heat. The Cavs will have to go for a 3-0 series lead without their point guard.
Ty Jerome will likely play major minutes with Garland out. Jerome has been one of the revelations of this NBA season and should do just fine in the bigger role.
It’s the first game of the series in Miami, a tough place to win.
Garland is out because of a sprained big toe. He dealt with this same injury at the end of the regular season, and he re-aggravated it late in Wednesday’s Game 2 win in Cleveland.
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The biggest concern for the Cavs isn’t Game 3. It’s how this Garland injury may or may not linger.
If he comes back at full strength, Cleveland can contend for an NBA title.
But without Garland, the Cavs might be one piece short.
In the meantime, Miami has to take advantage of the absence.
The Heat won two play-in games to get in the field as the East’s 10th-place team, and they fought hard in Game 2.
If Miami takes Game 3 with Garland out, a hint of doubt will be entered into the equation for Cleveland.
The Cavs will just have to figure it out without DG.
