Max Strus Gives Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Hopes With His Return

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished their West Coast road trip with a 2-1 record. They started their journey with a win over the Utah Jazz, then, after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. They also beat the Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland is missing a few players, as Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson did not play during that trip. However, the roster is slowly getting to its full strength, as players like Jarrett Allen and Max Strus are back.

Strus Returns After Missing Months

After missing most of the season, Strus made his season debut last month. The Cavaliers faced the Dallas Mavericks, and while that game was a loss, their veteran wing got off to a strong start.

Strus was one of six players who scored in double figures for Cleveland, and Donovan Mitchell was the leader with 26 points. After that performance, Strus had some quieter games, but he had an 11-point game against the Orlando Magic later on. Then, he had a big performance against another team, as he scored 29 points against the Miami Heat.

Before joining the Cavaliers, he made a name for himself in Miami. His stats improved each season, and in his final year with the team, he averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. That was a significant season for the Heat, and the franchise reached the NBA Finals for the seventh time in its history. Strus helped them get there, but in the end, the Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets.

Strus and Cavaliers Seeking a Championship

Since then, Strus has played for the Cavaliers, and they are trying to reach the NBA Finals themselves. Their playoff runs have been cut short, and most recently, they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round.

Cleveland has officially clinched a playoff spot, and now, the new-look Cavaliers are shooting for a deep run. The win over the Warriors helped seal the deal, and Strus helped them secure that win. He finished the game with 24 points, and he was a starter this time around.

So far, Strus has played eight games this season, and he started in two of them. The Cavaliers are trying to get him back in the rotation, which means someone else’s minutes will be impacted. However, with the way the veteran is playing, it is only right that he plays extensive minutes.

At this point, Strus is averaging 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He has done well in his return, and with the regular season winding down, he is getting a chance to prepare for the playoffs.

Will Strus and The Cavs Win It All?

It has been a long time coming for the Strus, and after missing months, he is helping the team finish the season on a high note. The Cavaliers have dealt with injuries all season, and that was a factor in their success. It was hard to get into a rhythm, and contending Eastern Conference teams took advantage. Those teams climbed the East standings, and now, the Detroit Pistons remain on top.

The Cavaliers will encounter some tough opponents throughout the playoffs, and if the playoffs started today, they would take on the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have turned heads as of late, and they could put up a fight in a series. However, a hungry Cavaliers team can come out on top.

Strus’ recent play shows what he brings to the table, and he made his debut at the right time. Cleveland has new additions, with the biggest name being James Harden. Adding those players shows that the Cavs are “all in,” and they want to win their second championship. The 2016 team made history, and this year’s group can add to that legacy.

The new players are doing their part, and familiar faces like Strus will be key as well. Cleveland’s championship chase begins, and Strus is helping his team succeed.