Cavaliers surge as Craig Porter Jr shines in bench role
The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a wave of momentum, securing a significant 129-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Arena on Wednesday night. Donovan Mitchell showcased his scoring prowess, leading all players with 34 points, while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley contributed double-doubles. Darius Garland also played a key role, finishing with 19 points and six assists.
Craig Porter Jr makes an impact
One of the standout stories of the game was the emergence of Craig Porter Jr. The point guard, who has taken on a bench role in place of Lonzo Ball for the past two games, has proven to be a valuable asset. While his numbers may not be eye-popping, Porter Jr’s athleticism and energy were palpable. The Wichita State product, known for leading the nation in blocks per game among players under 6-foot-2 during his final collegiate season, recorded nine rebounds against the Suns, four of which were offensive.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised Porter Jr’s versatility, noting, “CP is almost like a four with the way he plays. You can put him on bigger wings and you don’t have to worry about losing the rebounding battle with him either.” Standing at 6-1 and weighing in at 180 pounds, Porter Jr has averaged 16.6 minutes on the court this season. Impressively, in 10 of the 30 games he has come off the bench, he has secured five or more rebounds. Additionally, he has been a consistent defensive presence, averaging nearly a steal per game along with .56 blocks.
Porter’s deceptive skills
Porter Jr also shared insight into his playing style, emphasizing a key skill: deception. “I think being deceptive,” he explained, “Somebody might think I’m out of position because I might look a little nonchalant then jump this way or that way. Like jogging back to my spot and knowing they’re going to throw it there.” His ability to catch opponents off guard has been instrumental in his contributions to the team.
Utilizing a versatile lineup
Atkinson further discussed the effectiveness of the four-guard lineups that have been pivotal in securing back-to-back wins for Cleveland. “It’s nice we’re getting JA and Evan together, but we’ve struggled when there’s only been one big on the court this year, so it’s nice to see we’re finding lineups around the one big lineup that are a little better,” he noted, adding that Porter Jr’s unique skill set as a guard who plays like a forward has been beneficial.
Supporting cast shines
Jaylon Tyson continued to impress, adding 18 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, along with two rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes off the bench. Sam Merrill also contributed significantly, scoring 16 points with four three-pointers while pulling down one rebound and dishing out one assist in 23 minutes.
With this victory, the Cavaliers demonstrate their depth and adaptability as they prepare to return to Rocket Arena for their next challenge against the Denver Nuggets. The showdown is set for Friday night, with tipoff at 7:30 p.m.
