The Cavaliers picked out the Pacers on the road and won four straight. Unexpectedly, this season, the Cavaliers have transformed into a powerful brigade in the East. At present, they are in second place in the East with a record of 35 wins and 21 losses, only one win behind the heat at the top of the table.
In their 4th year of losing James, the Cavaliers turned over again. Such a change is not only the growth of Garland and Sexton, but also the full support of new signings such as Mobley and Allen, of course, it is inseparable from the guidance of old Knight members such as Osman and Lefour. Unconsciously, the Cavaliers have built a good lineup and locker room atmosphere, and this harmonious environment has even made the Nets, Lakers and other giants envious.
Rondo is probably the most qualified member to judge the team's environment. For many years in his career, Rondo was often seen as a thorn in the head and a tumor in the locker room, but he was extremely tactical, full of fighting spirit and experience, and there was always no shortage of new owners. As he grew older, Rondo gradually learned to restrain his edge and was more willing to play the role of a guide for young players. And on the Cavaliers, he did better than he did at the Lakers.
Against the Pacers, Rondo once again played a stunning performance. The Cavaliers once fell into passivity quickly in the first quarter, but Rondo, who came off the bench, transformed into a scoring master and set off a counterattack. The Cavaliers were 21 points behind at one point, but Rondo's mid-range shot in the final quarter became a good medicine to save the Cavaliers. Four minutes and 26 seconds before the final, he reversed the score with a three-pointer to help the Cavaliers lead 110-109.
At the critical moment of the life-and-death showdown, new signing LeVert made a meritorious achievement, scoring consecutive points to stabilize the situation. In the end, Rondo's free throw was firmly hit, and the Cavaliers won 120-113. In the final quarter, Rondo scored 3 of 4 and 2-of-3 from three-point range to score 10 points. Rondo, who has always had a weak scoring ability, has become the savior of the knight. In the whole game, he shot 6 of 7, 2 of 3 from three-point range, and got 17 points, 7 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals, and the data was comprehensive.
Just a few months ago, however, Rondo was briefly rumored to be retiring. At the time, he was depressed with the Lakers, lacked playing time, and didn't even have a chance to appear in garbage time.
This season, he has played in 18 games for the Lakers, averaging 16.1 minutes per game, and can get 3.1 points, 2.7 boards, 3.7 assists and 0.7 steals, shooting only 32.4% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range. After joining the Cavaliers, he played in 12 games, averaging 21.6 minutes per game, and could cut 7.8 points, 3.5 boards, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals, shooting 40.8% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range.
After the Lakers couldn't play the ball, after going to the Cavaliers, he was ok again. Is this Rondo's problem, or is it the Lakers' problem?