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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from first preseason game

By Tony Pesta

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. The young core is promising

Discussions on how good the Cavaliers’ young core will perform has dominated offseason talk. People have been waiting anxiously to see how players such as Rodney Hood, Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton will play together. They are, after all, the future of this franchise.

In their first game as a unit, they played outstanding. They seemed to flow smoothly and bounce off of each other perfectly. Of course, they have more than a few kinks to figure out. However, these problems will be fixed throughout the season as the team chemistry grows.

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Hood, in particular, looked relieved to once again be a focal point of a team’s offense. He scored 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting and fit in as a nice supporting piece to Kevin Love.

Osman also displayed the improvements to his game that everyone had been waiting to see. By the end of the first half, he had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. His ability to have an all-around impact on the game is something that gives him the potential to be a star one day.

As for Sexton, his presence was felt immediately. He started the game with a few questionable moments, such as missing a floater and getting his shot rejected. However, he quickly began to adjust to the speed of the game and performed well.

Sexton finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting. He showed great basketball IQ in getting the ball up the floor quickly and making the correct pass during fast break situations. Furthermore, he knocked down a pair of catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. His shooting ability will be a big question all season and the fact that he knocked down a few in this game is a good sign.

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