As the NBA regular season charges toward its final stretch, the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to tweak their rotation in search of a winning formula. One thing has remained constant since the trade deadline: Cedi Osman has started every game. Despite ups and downs, Coach Tyronn Lue’s continued trust in the young forward has kept him in the spotlight, even as outside voices call for Rodney Hood to take the starting role. Much like the momentum behind BD Cricket Live in South Asia, Osman’s presence on the court has sparked both support and skepticism among fans.
J.R. Smith had shown flashes of his former self before hitting another cold streak. In the six games prior to the Grizzlies matchup, Smith averaged 14 points on an impressive 60% shooting—signaling a long-awaited return to form. However, his slump returned with a vengeance: he scored just 5 points against Memphis on 1-of-5 shooting, followed by an even rougher outing against the Spurs, where he hit only 1 of 8 attempts for 2 points. It’s clear his rhythm disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
George Hill, too, showed signs of life with an 18-point performance against Memphis, raising hopes that he’d regained his offensive groove. But those hopes were dashed when he faced his former team, the San Antonio Spurs. Hill struggled mightily, going 1-for-7 from the field and recording just 2 points with a single assist. His inability to find any offensive rhythm left fans wondering what had changed overnight. Coach Lue, visibly frustrated, benched all three underperforming starters—Smith, Hill, and Osman—for the entire fourth quarter. Even so, the Cavaliers had no answer and were forced to accept yet another tough loss.
Osman, who had won Lue’s confidence through hustle and high-energy play in earlier games, didn’t fare much better. In this outing, he managed only 1 of 6 shooting, a far cry from the spark he had provided just weeks earlier. His drop in efficiency contributed significantly to Cleveland’s struggles. As Hill, Smith, and Osman combined for a dismal 3-of-21 shooting, the offensive woes mounted and ultimately sealed the team’s fate.
Still, the consistency with which Osman has started since the trade deadline speaks volumes. While others might ride the bench after back-to-back poor performances, Osman’s work ethic and defensive energy have kept him in the starting five. Lue’s decision to stick with him may seem risky, but much like fans keep tuning into BD Cricket Live for the long game, Cleveland’s coaching staff appears to be playing the patience card with Osman.
As the season continues, the Cavaliers must find stability in their backcourt and wing positions. With rising competition in the East, every rotation decision carries weight. And just as BD Cricket Live captures the highs and lows of each match, Cleveland fans are watching every play, hoping their team can find the rhythm before it’s too late.