After an 8-1 start, the Cleveland Cavaliers are cooling off fast.
On Friday, they went up against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, a team that had a 4-7 record and numerous underperforming players.
Cleveland was third in offensive rating and seventh in points per game coming into the contest, but its offense was a virtual no-show, as it shot just 40.2 percent overall and 26.7 percent from 3-point range.
Donovan Mitchell tried to rescue the Cavs with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but he was outplayed by Stephen Curry, who poured in 40 points to give Golden State a 106-101 win.
Fans in Northeast Ohio are starting to lose some patience with their team, as it is now on a three-game losing streak.
This man feels the first loss of the streak, which took place against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, changed the tone of the team.
Clippers really broke the team huh? Haven't been the same since.
— Camaro ss (@untouchable_06) November 12, 2022
This fan blamed head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotations.
@LockedOnCavs @Kwen_C the @Cavs allow the referees 2 dictate the game late. JB, its time 2 give Okoro's PT to Neto. Neto is not Rubio but he is a better fit than Okoro. I know Wade was out tonight but u didn't need 2 play a 8-man Rotation. U have Neto and Lopez, use them. #Cavs
— Deion Owens (@owens_deion) November 12, 2022
Some fans have pointed out the fact that Cleveland’s bench lacks firepower.
Cavs have the weakest bench among contenders
— Wen Wen (@asero831) November 12, 2022
Garland has been awful. No bench.
— James Robert (@jrob6900) November 12, 2022
Time For The Cavs To Get Back On Track
Indeed, Darius Garland hasn’t been playing well of late, as he has shot poorly in three of his last four games.
Tonight, he was just 5-of-19 from the field and managed to score just 15 points.
Cleveland also allowed the Warriors to shoot 48.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range, and its defense, which looked so stout to start the season, is now looking vulnerable.
This has definitely not been a good West Coast road trip for the Cavs, as they’ve now finished it with a dismal 2-3 record.
One thing that championship teams do is consistently win on the road, as the Cavs did in the 2015-16 season when they had a 24-17 record away from The Land.
This young squad will have to learn how to rack up victories away from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse if it ever wants to earn a Larry O’Brien Trophy of its own.
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