Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing their position in league rankings

Cleveland Cavaliers’ league rankings: Best record in the clutch

The NBA defines ‘clutch’ moments as games in which the score is within five points in the final two minutes of playing. By this standard, the Cleveland Cavaliers hold a 6-1 record in the clutch – making them the best closers in basketball.

This is a stark contrast from where they were last season. For starters, they rarely competed in close games, to begin with, but when they did, they finished  13-16 in clutch moments.

Much of this success can be attributed to Collin Sexton, who has risen as one of the best fourth-quarter scores in the league. Sexton has scored the second most ‘clutch’ points in the NBA this season, only three points behind James Harden in two fewer games.

Sexton is shooting 14-of-21 (66.7 percent) from the floor and 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from the 3-point line with the game in jeopardy. He has recorded three steals and only one turnover during these stretches, showing that he is as trustworthy as possible in these scenarios.

Drummond and Nance have been productive as well. Nance has shot 2-of-3 from deep when the game is on the line and Drummond has snagged 14 rebounds in 29 total minutes of clutch time.

It’s hard to imagine the Cavaliers will remain this hot from the floor during close games. Nonetheless, this is a massive indication of growth. This young team is beginning to flash signs that they can seal the deal in tight matchups and that will prove to be vital moving forward.