After an incredible regular season that saw them claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are down 0-2 in their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Pacers. One of the main reasons why they lost the first two games is playing without Darius Garland (toe), in addition to new injuries to PF Evan Mobley and SF De'Andre Hunter.
Garland is once again listed as questionable heading into Game 3. However, according to ESPN, Garland is expected to play tonight. Garland was at morning shootaround, as well as Mobley and Hunter, which bodes well for their Game 3 status. All three will try to play on Friday.
We’ll give you the latest updates on Garland's injury below. Find the latest Darius Garland projections for tonight’s game on the PrizePicks NBA board here.
Is Darius Garland Playing Today vs. Pacers?
Darius Garland participated in morning shootaround and is expected to play on Friday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Garland continues to be listed as questionable and, according to Brian Windhosrt of ESPN, Garland’s turf toe is a real concern that Garland is dealing with.
While Garland will play, it remains to be seen how he will be able to move on the toe that is likely still giving him some issue. As early as last week, there were reports that Garland couldn’t push off the toe without pain — it’s hard to imagine he’ll be 100% tonight.
Garland’s injury dates back to the regular season, when he sat out two of the final three games for the Cavaliers. But down 0-2, the Cavs need their starters back on the floor.
Cavs PF Evan Mobley (ankle) and SF De’Andre Hunter (thumb) are also listed as questionable for Game 3, but they are expected to try to play tonight. Neither player took the floor in Game 2.
With Garland, Mobley, and Hunter all out in Game 2, PG Ty Jerome and PF Dean Wade started. SF Isaac Okoro logged 29 minutes off the bench, while SG Sam Merrill played 26 minutes. Merrill scored 14 points, but Wade, Jerome, and Okoro combined to score just 10 total points.
Darius Garland Projections Today
Garland has missed four straight playoff games for the Cavaliers. In the two playoff games that he appeared in, he averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.5 3-pointers against the Heat. In two games against the Pacers during the regular season, he averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.5 three-pointers.
Here are Garland’s stat projections tonight for Game 3, via the PrizePicks NBA board.
- 16.5 Points
- 3.5 Rebounds (Demon)
- 5.5 Assists
- 25 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 2.5 3-PT Made (Demon)
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