Max Strus (Stagg) missed the first 27 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
During that stretch, Cavs went 23-4 and sat at the top of the Eastern conference in the NBA. Stepping into that lineup is tough because the team has great chemistry but Strus was willing to except whatever role was necessary once returning.
To get back in the mix, Strus is opening the season off the bench. Last season, he started all 70 of his games but he is just fine coming off the bench.
Strus finished with 13 points include four made threes off the bench on Tuesday night. He also had four rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block in the win over Indiana.
He’s 15-for-30 from beyond the arc over his last five games. During that stretch, Strus has raised his 3-point percentage by 10 points. He is now shooting 39 percent on 5.5 threes per game.
Strus currently averages 8.2 points on 42% shooting with 3.6 rebounds & 3.1 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. At some point, he’ll find his way into the starting mix.
Cavs are now 10-1 in games Strus has played in.
Extra News
RayJ Dennis (Oswego East) played two games in one day for Indiana at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In the early afternoon, Dennis had a near triple-double (15-10-7) to head the Mad Ants in a win over the South Bay Lakers.
In the evening, he came off the bench, grabbed a steal, and scored his first NBA points in a Pacers loss.
NBA Games
- Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Indiana Pacers, 127-117.
- Max Strus (Stagg) has yet to make a start this season.
- Strus had 13 points (4-8 FG, 4-7 3PT, 1-2 FT) with four rebounds, four assists, a steal, a block, and a +5 plus-minus in 22 minutes off the bench.
- RayJ Dennis (Oswego East) scored his first NBA points in the loss.
- Dennis had two points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT) with a steal and a +4 plus-minus in one minute off the bench.
- Max Strus (Stagg) has yet to make a start this season.
- New Orleans Pelicans defeated Chicago Bulls, 119-113.
- Antonio Reeves (Simeon) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
- Jevon Carter (Proviso East) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
- Matas Buzelis (Hinsdale Central) is 4-for-7 from the arc over his last three games.
- Buzelis had five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT) with four rebounds and a -2 plus-minus in 12 minutes off the bench.
- Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon) had a positive plus-minus in 15 of his 28 games.
- Horton Tucker had zero points (0-1 FG) with a +6 plus-minus in eight minutes off the bench.
- Denver Nuggets defeated Dallas Mavericks, 118-97.
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Lake Forest) finished with his first double-digit scoring performance of the season.
- Prosper had 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-4 FT) with two rebounds, an assist, a steal, a block, and a +10 in 14 minutes off the bench.
- His one block was a team-high tied with five others.
- His +10 plus-minus was a team-high.
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Lake Forest) finished with his first double-digit scoring performance of the season.
G League Games
- San Diego Clippers defeated Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-113, in overtime.
- Cam Christie (Rolling Meadows) had 25 points (8-20 FG, 3-8 3PT, 3-3 FT) with three rebounds (one offensive), five assists, a steal, a block, a turnover, and a -1 plus-minus in 41 minutes.
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- Indian Mad Ants defeated South Bay Lakers, 111-102.
- RayJ Dennis (Oswego East) had 15 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3PT) with 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal, two blocks, and a -1 plus-minus in 40 minutes.
- Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young) had 12 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 FT) with two rebounds (one offensive), an assist, two turnovers, and a -11 plus-minus in 25 minutes.
- Salt Lake City Stars defeated Stockton Kings, 121-117.
- Justin Harmon (Curie) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
- Chasson Randle (Rock Island) had six points (2-6 FG, 2-5 3PT) with three rebounds, an assist, and a +17 plus-minus in 14 minutes.
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