The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a feel-good win over the New York Knicks.
Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Player of the game
James Harden
32 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Harden delivered his best half of the season by ripping off 17 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting in the opening quarters. The Cavs have missed this production from their starting point guard. But if he can generate clean offense like this on a consistent basis, then there’s a real runway for them moving forward.
The Cavs’ offense was steady all night in large part due to Harden’s isolation scoring. Few players have been able to create one-on-one like Harden, and even at 37 years old, he’s proven he can still turn up the heat and take over games.
Grade: A+
Grades
Donovan Mitchell
23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Last week, after the Cavs lost to New York, Mitchell told me he feels he’s taken strides as a playmaker. That manifested itself tonight in a way that’s bigger than his 6 assists.
Mitchell showed maturity in the fourth quarter. After scoring steadily throughout the game, he allowed the Knicks to take him off the board by trapping him. By accepting the double team and then passing the ball to one of his release valves, the Cavs were able to consistently create advantages at the end of the game.
Grade: A-
Jarrett Allen
11 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Allen made the most of his opportunities tonight. He shot 4-of-7 from the floor and hammered (literally) the nail in the coffin with his and-one dunk.
More importantly, Allen gobbled 14 boards and helped the Cavs win 40-34 on the glass.
Grade: A-
Evan Mobley
10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
This was a quiet night from Mobley. In some ways, his lack of aggression, particularly when drawing a mismatch against a smaller defender, was frustrating.
That said, I do think there’s value in pointing out that the flow of this game never channeled his direction. This was a perimeter-oriented game with Mitchell, Harden, Proctor, and Thomas attempting 52 shots (out of 85 total attempts from the team).
I wish Mobley were capable of dictating that flow for himself more often. But I’m starting to wonder if we all need to just accept that as something that doesn’t come included.
His grade skews positive for his mostly impactful defensive effort.
Grade: C+
Peyton Watson
7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
Watson did not find his shot at any point tonight. He finished 2-for-12 from the field. However, he made a gigantic impact on defense, swatting multiple three-point attempts and blocking Deuce McBride in transition to help Cleveland close the door.
The Cavs still need to figure out where he fits offensively, but the vision for his defense is coming into focus.
Grade: B
Mario Hezonja
0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 7 minutes
Hezonja couldn’t hang tonight as New York’s off-ball movement left him stuck in the mud. He’s too slow for either of the Knicks’ wings, and Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t your usual five. This will be a difficult matchup for Hezonja to establish himself.
Grade: F
Jaylon Tyson
3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Tyson played his first game since October after missing the previous six with an ankle injury. There’s not much to take from this, other than Tyson needs to find his jumper and become a more helpful defender. All of this could come as he gets his feet back under him.
Grade: D+
Tyrese Proctor
15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Proctor was everything the Cavs needed tonight. He had it going offensively (BLANK shooting) and was one of their best perimeter defenders. He stayed attached on screens and kept the Knicks from getting loose away from the ball. This was the best game of his young career and another sign that the Cavs have a nose for finding talent on the margins.
Grade: A
Meleek Thomas
14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Thomas nailed a half-spin fallaway jumper during his first stint of this game. The type of stuff that only an immensely confident rookie could pull off. But that confidence has made Thomas a difference-maker for Cleveland, and his ability to create for himself was a big help tonight.
Grade: A-
