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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 keys to Collin Sexton’s recent surge

By Ryan Piers

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 11: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 11: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on March 11, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Over the past six games, the Cleveland Cavaliers Collin Sexton has gone from a solid young player to a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. Here’s how.

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Collin Sexton didn’t need to drill the dagger 3-pointer with 39.6 seconds left against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Cleveland, already up four points, probably still would’ve won even if he’d missed; it just put their 126-119 victory out of reach.

But everything about it was so perfect. His perfect crossover on Reggie Jackson. His perfect release before the perfectly crisp sound of the net as the ball passes through the cylinder.

And the way Cavs play-by-play man Fred McLeod belted, “Collin Sexton has gone video game!” Perfect.

It was the perfect moment to cap a perfect 11 days for a rookie who has played in every game of a very imperfect season.

His performance over the past six games is turning heads. Sexton erupted for 20-plus points in each of those games, breaking a Cleveland rookie record set by some guy named LeBron James. He averaged 26.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during the stretch while shooting a whopping 55.7 percent from the floor.

It be easy for Sexton to get down. He’s endured each of the team’s 53 losses this year as the only Cavalier to play in all 71 of the team’s games, yet he’s remained steadfast. Sexton’s 62 games with at least 10 points are the most by any rookie.

His work is drawing national attention to the Cavaliers during a rebuilding year. CBS Sports recently put Sexton at the top of their weekly rookie power rankings. Hoops Habit‘s own Tony Pesta says he should be somewhere in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Other NBA point guards are impressed by his play.

There is something special brewing in Cleveland, and it’s not just the the tasty drafts at the popular Cleveland Brew Shop on Lorain Avenue. It’s the point guard slicing and dicing defenders at Quicken Loans Arena. Here are three keys behind Sexton’s recent surge.

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