Kevin Porter Jr. put the NBA on notice after scoring a career-high 30 points against the Miami Heat, as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 19-point deficit to start the fourth quarter to win a 125-119 overtime thriller. An anonymous Cavs player has already seen enough to know Porter can be the one to alter the franchise’s route.
“There’s no might,” a player told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com before leaving the locker room.
Porter had 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and overtime period, leading the Cavs to a very unlikely comeback effort against a solid Eastern Conference playoff team.
The rookie guard had struggled with foul trouble in his past two games, leading to three- and two-point performances. Yet the Cavs decided to stick with Porter and were rewarded for their faith, as the USC product canned 9-of-18 from the floor, 4-of-7 from deep, and 8-of-10 from the foul line — putting the game away with two free throws with only seconds left in the extra period.
Porter hasn’t been short of inefficiencies, vastly viewed as a capable, but unrefined prospect. His tendency to foul, gamble defensively, and his loose handle and decision-making have been worrying points for those looking at him closely. Yet his upside has the eyes of his teammates.
“I think we really haven’t even tapped into his potential yet,” said Kevin Love. “He’s really incredible, what he will be capable of in the future.”
The Cavs still have questions regarding their tiny backcourt comprised of the 6-foot-1 Collin Sexton and 6-foot-1 Darius Garland. While the two are being thrown in the mix together, there’s the feeling that one of them might have to make way for Porter soon, considering his innate scoring talent and 3-point shooting ability.