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Youngsters Impress in Preseason Primer

In the Cavaliers’ annual Wine and Gold Scrimmage at The Q on Monday night, the Gold team upset the Wine squad – 55-49.

Of course, the final score matters a lot less than how individual players perform, how combinations of those guys work together and how far the team as a whole has come since tipping off Training Camp one week ago. But what matters most is that after three 10-minute periods wrapped up, the squad came through completely healthy.

“It was a great turnout; our fans are unbelievable – on a Monday night that we had that many fans was unbelievable,” said LeBron James. “We wanted to accomplish one thing – don’t get hurt and play hard. And we did that.”

Matthew Dellavedova

Full scrimmage broadcast.

View snapshots from the scrimmage.

View 20-man roster.

Guard Quinn Cook, a Camp invitee who’s impressed coaches over the past week, led both units with 13 points – going 5-of-6 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from long-distance, adding four assists and three boards. In the third period, Matthew Dellavedova drove past Cook in the lane, knocking the former Blue Devil back behind the basket stanchion. But Cook bounced back and, minutes later, out-Delly-ed Delly – picking the Aussie in the backcourt and scoring on an uncontested layup.

After an opening salvo by the starters and second team, much of the night belonged to the non-contract guys trying to lock up a roster spot.

NBA veteran Austin Daye, who’s also looked good in Camp, played well again on Monday night, netting seven points, four boards and a steal. Jared Cunningham finished with 11 points. And high-flying rookie D.J. Stephens took home the style points on Monday, electrifying the Quicken Loans Arena crowd with a pair of massive dunks.

”(Stephens) is fun to watch – (he’s) just an exceptional, exceptional athlete,” smiled Coach Blatt following the Scrimmage. “And he can play basketball too – that’s the good thing.”

Mo Williams, in his return to The Q, got the biggest pregame ovation and responded with a strong outing as Kyrie Irving – still rehabbing from knee surgery – took in the action from courtside. The 12-year veteran finished with nine points, going 4-for-5 from the floor to go with four helpers.

But most of the Cavaliers spent the first period working off some rust. LeBron missed a pair of reverse layups that spun around and off the rim. Timofey Mozgov canned his first rainbow jumper from 12-feet, but his next two were flat and drew front iron. Anderson Varejao was all smiles as he returned to the hardwood, grabbing four boards on the same floor where his season was cut short after just 26 games last year.

Sophomore swingman Joe Harris was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc while newcomers Sasha Kaun and Richard Jefferson were each perfect from the floor, going 4-for-4 and 3-for-3 respectively. Kaun added a game-high six boards and led both teams with two steals.

The Cavaliers travel to Cincinnati after practice on Tuesday and will open the preseason against the Hawks at the Cintas Center on Wednesday night.