The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 113-127 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
Mitchell felt more like a passive participant. He was mostly just moving the ball around, even in the second quarter, when the Cavaliers were looking like they were stalling on the offensive end. Games like this are fine when everyone has it going. The Cavaliers, after the first quarter, appeared to be heading this way, then they only scored 19 in the second. This is where Mitchell should’ve covered the cracks.
Grade: D
James Harden
17 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Harden appeared to have it going early, however when the wheels fell off in the second quarter, he just faded into the background. I don’t think it is a coincidence as well that the two biggest net negatives in terms of plus minus were Mitchell and Harden. When the offense is dialed up to an 11, it only makes their lack of defensive effort that much more noticeable.
Grade: C-
Evan Mobley
6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
This might have been Mobley’s worst game of the year. I don’t necessarily even think it can be put on him. The offense never seemed to look to get him in actions or set him up for success. Mobley only shot the ball four times, and when he had the ball, he was looking to create a look for someone else rather than himself. Kind of makes you think the past month for Mobley was not a sign of what’s to come.
Grade: F
Jarrett Allen
18 points, 2 assists, 4 rebounds
If the grades were based on the first half, Jarrett Allen might have gotten an A. I don’t think, considering the limited minutes that Allen played in the second half due to coaching decisions, I can give him that. Allen was leaps and bounds the best Cavalier in this game. Allen was running all around the court, driving in the lanes, hunting mismatches. Everything that reminds you of how critical he is to the Cavaliers’ success this season.
Grade: A–
Max Strus
11 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds
Strus got the start tonight at the three and I think everyone was excited to see what that would look like. Strus played the part well when the five were out to start the game. Unfortunately, we really did not get to see them in closing action. Strus had a fine night all things considered. Hard to determine this unit and his impact when the game went off the rails in the second and then the plug was pulled in the third.
Grade: B–
Keon Ellis
7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal,
Ellis was the first player off the bench for the Cavaliers in this game.
Ellis’s offensive impact is so game-to-game, as well as his defensive sequences. It is so hard to envision what he could look over a potential seven-game series. It is certain for the Cavaliers that he cannot be the first reserve tapped in those situations.
Grade: C-
Craig Porter Jr.
0 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound
Let’s just stop and give these minutes to…
Grade: F
Tyrese Proctor
10 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Proctor has shown juice over the last few games. In no way does this mean he needs to be in the playoff rotation. However, it can be said that any minutes that are going to CPJ at this point in the season should be given to Proctor.
Grade: B
Dennis Schroder
9 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 turnovers
Schroder is the Caris LeVert experience, except we are seeing way more lows than highs thus far. While this was one of the better games as of late. It was buried in a poor team outing. Shroder cannot help a sinking ship that much is clear.
Grade: C
Thomas Bryant
14 points, 6 rebounds,
Bryant’s stat line benefits from the way the game went in the third quarter. Bryant’s minutes are still trending as a positive for the Cavaliers this season. It will be interested how the Cavaliers choose to deploy him in the postseason.
Grade: B-
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Tomlin is really a tough watch at his point in the season. It feels like he eats the minutes of the injured players unavailable but does not really fill a certain archetype. Hard to see where his career trajectory is, however, it is very clear he is a coaching staff’s favorite.
Grade: C
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