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

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

By Ryan Piers | Mar 20, 2019

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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Better shot selection

Sexton’s effective field goal percentage is skyrocketing in March. He’s shooting fewer mid-range jumpers — a shot that was his crutch early in the season — and attacking the rim. When he’s not beelining to the basket, Sexton is comfortably rising over defenders for 3-pointers.

Prior to Monday’s game, Sexton attempted only 20 shots between 10 feet and the 3-point line out of 141 field attempts during March games. That’s means about 93 percent of his shots this month are either 3s or around the paint. It’s a great percentage.

Out of his 1,016 field goal attempts this season, 140 are from NBA’s no man’s land, so Sexton is shooting 13.7 percent of his shots from mid-range. But this month, he’s shooting 7.0 percent of his shots from that distance. The improved efficiency must certainly be playing a role in his increased scoring.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1107812369693138944

Early-season Sexton would have dribbled maybe a step or two inside the arc and lobbed a tightly guarded jumper. With added confidence, he rises over defenders playing passively, who are concerned about being beaten off the dribble.

Of course, Sexton can still make the difficult shots. Like this, ahem, “sexy” layup that should have given him style points.

In any case, the high-risk, low-reward attempts are dwindling.

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