The Cleveland Cavaliers missed an opportunity against an injury-riddled Oklahoma City Thunder in their 117-112 loss.
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
Evan Mobley
16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Kenny Atkinson said before the game that OKC’s defense would swarm the paint and make it difficult to feed the Cleveland bigs. He was right, as Mobley was forced out of the paint for the first three quarters and took roughly half of his shots from the perimeter.
It wasn’t until the fourth that Mobley was able to consistently assert himself in the paint. The Cavs found him on the roll multiple times, as he either converted at the rim or earned trips to the free-throw line. It wasn’t enough, but it was a quality adjustment that’s worth noting.
Grade: B
Grades
Donovan Mitchell
17 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 turnovers
Mitchell struggled with his shot but worked his way to 11 assists by zipping the ball around the floor and being a willing passer. He looked particularly spry in the first quarter, wheeling and dealing without the threat of OKC’s usual perimeter defense.
The added playmaking was great and deserves to be mentioned. But, at the end of the day, the Cavs needed more than just 17 points on 17 shots.
Grade: B
James Harden
14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 turnover
Harden has settled into a groove in recent games. His turnovers are down, and his efficiency is on the rise. He shot 5-for-10 from the floor and generated advantages for his teammates throughout the night.
However, Harden’s off-ball defense continues to be a weak point for Cleveland. And, the Cavs would like to see him score at a higher rate, especially when most of the team is struggling to shoot from downtown.
Grade: C+
Meleek Thomas
17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Thomas started tonight for Peyton Watson, marking the rookie’s first-ever start. He was beat on a handful of backdoor cuts, but held his own in isolation and was a positive influence on Cleveland’s offense. Thomas never stops running around the perimeter, and that activity, when packaged with his three-point shooting, helps to grease the wheels of any given possession.
I have to knock Thomas half a grade for smoking an open layup in crunch time. Sorry, Rook.
Grade: B
Jarrett Allen
14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Allen had one of the best blocks he’ll have all season when he rejected Aday Mara at the rim to end the third quarter.
Other than that, Allen faced issues similar to Mobley. The Thunder defense loaded up in the paint and played drop coverage throughout the night. This made it hard to keep the bigs involved, but — Allen did take and make an elbow jumper in the fourth quarter to help alleviate this.
Allen was not featured in Cleveland’s closing lineup. A decision that continues to feel self-defeating, especially when the team is looking for key stops on the defensive end.
Grade: B–
Mario Hezonja
12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
The Cavs are still working out the best way to use Hezonja, but tonight might be the blueprint they’ve been looking for.
Hezonja was immensely helpful off the bench, grabbing boards and smacking three-pointers. His tanky build makes him a unique role player who can do a little bit of everything. That fluidity has made it hard for Cleveland to define. But maybe, that’s a strength.
Grade: A-
Sam Merrill
8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Merrill is going through a cold spell to start the season as he shot 2-for-8 from downtown tonight and missed a chance to tie the game with under a minute to play.
Grade: D
Tyrese Proctor
10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Proctor finally looked like the player we expected to see this season. His point-of-attack defense helped keep the Thunder from running away with a lead during the first half, and his three-point shooting was just as helpful.
This is a player who should plug-and-play in any lineup the Cavs run. That makes him a versatile 3-and-D guard who can deliver timely performances in a pinch like tonight.
Grade: B+
