Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing their position in league rankings

Cleveland Cavaliers’ league rankings: 28th in Offensive Rating

When gauging the Cleveland Cavaliers’ success, many point to the fact that they rank 28th in Offensive Rating to belittle their achievements. The focus of their two wins over Brooklyn was more about how the Nets failed rather than what the Cavs did right.

At first glance, it’s jarring to see Cleveland post such a horrendous Offensive Rating despite being one of the top defensive teams. It’s rare for something like this to happen and there is an easy explanation for it.

The Cavaliers have put out a different starting lineup in roughly half of their games this season. This variety in lineups would make it difficult for any team to catch a rhythm, but it’s even worse when you look at specifically who was missing games.

Collin Sexton, Kevin Love and Darius Garland are arguably the team’s most effective scorers and each of them has missed a chunk of the early season. In particular, Love has only played 46 minutes.

With almost all of their guards injured, Cleveland was forced to put players such as Larry Nance, Cedi Osman and Damyean Dotson in uncomfortable playmaker roles. This also put heavier expectations on Osman and Isaac Okoro to create their own shots, resulting in both players struggling from the floor for a two-week stretch.

The Cavaliers score an average of 109.7 points when Sexton is in the lineup and just 93.6 when he’s sidelined. Add Garland to the mix and the Cavs score 110.4 points versus 99.0 without the star duo.

With their backcourt in place as well as a new 3-and-D threat in Taurean Prince and a paint presence in Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers’ offensive rating should skyrocket. Include the eventual return of Love and there’s no reason to be concerned about this team’s scoring ability.