The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the best team in the Eastern Conference, losing 114-110 to the Detroit Pistons.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
30 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds
Mitchell had his shot blocked more than once today. That’s a credit to Detroit’s rangy and athletic defense. He eventually found his rhythm by scoring 23 points in the second half, but the Pistons made him work for every bucket.
Grade: B+
Darius Garland
15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
Garland was unusually scrambly with the ball today. He only turned it over twice, but he was out of control on a few other plays. Just a momentary bobble is all it takes for this Pistons’ defense to recover and get back into the play. Garland had a tough time beating them.
Grade: C+
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Evan Mobley
15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks
Mobley hit his first three-pointer since returning from injury on Christmas Day. He then buried another three-pointer in the first half to push himself to 11 points on 3-5 shooting. He finished with only 15 points, largely disappearing from the offense in the second half.
His defense deserves a nod. Mobley had 4 blocks tonight and 15 blocks across his last four games.
Grade: B–
Sam Merrill
15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Merrill returned from an ankle injury today after missing the previous two games. He looked like he never left. Merrill canned 4-of-6 three-point attempts in the first half. But he nearly went scoreless the rest of the way, only taking one field goal attempt once the shot clock was already off. He nailed it for his only three-pointer of the second half.
Grade: A-
Craig Porter Jr.
2 points, 1 assist, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Porter only took two shots tonight, but he impacted every other area of the game. He was disruptive on defense and active on the glass.
Grade: B+
De’Andre Hunter
14 points, 0 assists, 6 rebounds
I felt like Hunter should have played more in this game. The Cavs needed size and spacing, and Hunter was bringing both today. He grabbed 6 defensive rebounds and hit 2-of-5 three-point attempts. Despite this, Hunter only played 24 minutes off the bench.
His 3 turnovers could be part of the reason why.
Grade: B
Thomas Bryant
7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Bryant was a serviceable backup big tonight. He has limitations as a defender, but he otherwise did his job and gave the Cavs enough to compete.
Grade: B+
Jaylon Tyson
6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
This was a horrible start for Tyson. He began the game 0-5 from the floor, missing an open layup and then bricking a rushed three-point attempt moments later. On the following possessions, he turned it over on back-to-back plays. The wheels really came off.
Grade: D+
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
2 points, 0 assists, 4 rebounds
The Cleveland crowd is quickly falling in love with Tomlin. He had Rocket Arena in a frenzy during the first quarter when his defensive energy helped the Cavs hold Detroit to just 27% shooting from the floor.
Grade: B+
Lonzo Ball
0 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
Ball played well against Denver. He did the opposite today versus the Pistons. He ended the game as a team-worst minus-18 in just 9 minutes. The bulk of that came during the second quarter when Cleveland was run out of the gym. The eye test matched the box score.
Grade: F
