Game Night Observations: Darius Garland's Toe Injury, An Absurd Finish, and Kenny Atkinson's Ejection

What a whirlwind that was.

MIAMI — The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Miami Heat in overtime 140-138 on Monday night in a game that featured all of the drama that the playoff series between these two teams was missing last April.

The word that kept coming to mind throughout the night was absurd. That’s the best way those 53 minutes of basketball can be described in one word. It’s also absurd that the game itself isn’t the most important thing from the night, at least not for the Cavs.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, Cavs point guard Darius Garland drove to his right, attacking Miami’s Nikola Jovic. Garland drew contact, got a whistle and earned a trip to the free throw line. After he crashed to the floor to the left of the basket, Garland reached for his left foot and appeared to pound the floor in frustration. He took his time getting to the free throw line before he would knock both of them down.