The Cleveland Cavaliers won a statement game against the Atlanta Hawks.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
This was a team effort, but Mitchell truly stole the show. His isolation scoring is on par with just about anyone in the NBA. I have to imagine it’s a hopeless feeling for the defense whenever Mitchell windmills the ball over their head. He had Corey Kispert begging for mercy — and none of the other Hawks had any better luck.
Grade: A+
James Harden
21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Harden struggled to score early despite generating some clean looks. He also had a grating turnover in closing time, where he handed the ball straight to NAW. Harden finished the game shooting 6-23.
Other than that, Harden provided a huge surge of scoring in the third quarter and was the orchestrator of Cleveland’s late-game offense. He helped them earn multiple trips to the free-throw line, closing the deal with his surgical decision-making.
Grade: B–
Jarrett Allen
16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals
Allen looks like he’s in pain. That hasn’t stopped him from burrowing into the paint and leaving defenders with no choice other than to bear hug him. The Cavs are showing they can work around Allen’s tendinitis — but I hope that other options emerge as the playoffs approach.
Ideally, we want February Allen back in the building.
Grade: B
Evan Mobley
22 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Talk about dominant.
Mobley showed fans what they’ve been dreaming about. He eviscerated any defender the Hawks put in front of him. And, made it a non-contest any time the ball was up for grabs. This monster double-double is the type of stuff that will get Mobley, and his team, to the next level.
Grade: A+
Keon Ellis
5 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, 1 block
I can see Ellis being a great option to slow down players like CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexandar-Walker, and Gabe Vincent. He has the physical tools to match any of them.
The goal, however, is actually getting him into those matchups. Ellis wasn’t properly utilized in any lineup that featured him alongside Dennis Schroder, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill. The Cavs simply aren’t big enough to get away with stuff like that.
Hopefully, Kenny Atkinson adjusts the rotation and better uses Ellis for his point-of-attack defense.
Grade: C–
Max Strus
8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Strus came off the bench as Cleveland opted for Dean Wade in the starting lineup. That worked great for Wade, and not as well for Strus.
I actually thought Strus played a fine game. But similar to Ellis, I’m not sure if the logjam of backcourt players makes for the most ideal second units. Strus is being stretched thin in some of these lineups.
Grade: C+
Sam Merrill
6 points, 3 assists, 1 steal
You can copy and paste most of what I said for Ellis and Strus here. Merrill isn’t benefiting from being in lineups that only feature one player above 6’5”.
Merrill shot 2-3 from downtown tonight.
Grade: C+
Dean Wade
8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Wade returned to the floor and joined the starters tonight. That dynamic worked to perfection. His size and athleticism made him a versatile defensive weapon to pair with the bigs. He also nailed consecutive three-pointers to start the game and spaced the floor well throughout the night.
Grade: A-
Dennis Schroder
5 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound
Not the best. Schroder is most impacted by some of these small-ball lineups. But, he also isn’t a great fit next to either Mitchell or Harden. He was a staggering minus-22 in 15 minutes. As a reminder, the Cavs won this game by six.
Grade: F
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