What Caris LeVert's Game 2 Performance Means For The Cavaliers Lineup In Game 3

Darius Garland called Caris LeVert the Cleveland Cavaliers' "X-Factor" in their series with the New York Knicks.

Tommy Wild | Apr 20, 2023

What Caris LeVert's Game 2 Performance Means For The Cavaliers Lineup In Game 3 /

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Caris LeVert was a mere nonfactor for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks in Game 1. There was hope that he could be the difference maker off the bench for a team that was criticized for its depth leading up to the series.

He went just 1-for-7 from the field in 18 minutes of play and scored just three points in the series opener. That's not the performance that fans, the team, or LeVert hoped for.

The guard came out in Game 2 with a whole new aggressive mindset and it showed in the box score. LeVert scored 24 points while shooting an efficient 56 percent from the floor. We also can't talk about his performance without mentioning the elite defense that LeVert played on that side of the ball.

J.B. Bickerstaff did not start Game 2 with LeVert at the three. That position went to Isaac Okoro, but he ended up playing under three minutes in the whole game. The rest of those minutes went to LeVert who even began the second half in the starting lineup.

This performance didn't go unnoticed by LeVert's teammates. Darius Garland called LeVert their "X-Factor" in the series and that certainly played out in Game 2.

Bickerstaff decided to go with the hot hand which is why he rolled with LeVert over Okoro during the game. But there certainly are questions on what lineup Cleveland's coach will start with for Game 3.

What a find from LeVert 😮‍💨

Cavs up big at the half 💪 pic.twitter.com/hkaTVDenjg
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2023

Okoro is in the game strictly for his defense. That's not to say he can't knock down a corner three from time to time, but that isn't the reason he's on the floor. If LeVert is shooting above 50 percent on high volume and still playing high-level defense, then it's hard not to see Bickerstaff sticking with him for Game 3.

For reference, Okoro played 22 minutes in Game 1 and had a defense rating of 85.1. LeVert's defense rating in Game 2 was 89.9 in almost 40 minutes.

All of our questions will be answered on Friday night when the Cavs and Knicks face off in Madison Square Garden for Game 3.

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