Garland shines in come-from-behind win over Bucks

When the Cavaliers went off for 73 points in the first half Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks – who were playing without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo – it looked like an 8-0 start to the season was a foregone conclusion.

However, the Bucks showed some grit in the second half, outscoring the Cavs 31-16 in the third quarter to take a two-point lead into the final frame.

The Bucks held the lead until the 3:24 mark in the fourth quarter, when Darius Garland tied the game with a layup off a Donovan Mitchell steal.

Garland hit three more big shots down the stretch – none bigger than his step-back 3-pointer that gave the Cavs a 113-111 lead with 45 seconds left.

The Cavaliers held on for a 116-114 win to improve to 8-0 on the season, tying a franchise record dating back to 1976.

Garland was magnificent, leading all scorers with 39 points and outdueling his idol Damian Lillard.

Garland added eight assists. Kenny Atkinson raved about Garland’s late-game pass to Jarrett Allen, who was cutting to the basket off a pick-and-roll. Allen’s layup gave the Cavs a 115-111 lead with 12 seconds left.

“I don’t know how he got it there,” Atkinson said of Garland’s pass.

What impressed Atkinson the most about Garland?

“Thirty-nine points, but [only] two turnovers,” Atkinson told reporters. “Even the last game in Milwaukee, no one talked about Darius, but he had 10 assists and two turnovers. He is a true point guard. Now add the scoring to it, [and] you’ve got an All-Star guy. He’s really playing unbelievable basketball.”

Garland was 7-of-11 from 3-point range. After the game, Garland talked about how his 3-point shooting has a cascading effect on the rest of his game.

“When I make a couple, [the defense starts] overreacting,” Garland told reporters. “And that’s when the lane just starts to open up, and that’s when I get downhill, so I look for teammates so the floater’s there. [Atkinson] wants me to shoot more 3’s so it can open up [the rest of my game]. I think I’m a pretty good shooter, so if I make a couple, I think all hell will break loose from there.”

Garland looks like a different player this year, after a jaw injury sidelined him for 19 games. When he returned to game action last season, Garland struggled to find his groove.

When asked if he feels more like himself this season, Garland coyly responded: “No … and yes.”

“No because I always had that aggression. I always had that mindset that I can just blow by anybody, I can get to the spots that I want to get to,” Garland said. “Yes because my head is free. I’m playing freely, my confidence is super high, my teammates got my back.”

Garland added: “I really appreciate my teammates and my coaching staff … telling me to be me, and that’s what I’m trying to do for the rest of the season.”