The Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly beat the Atlanta Hawks after 48 minutes of tight competition. It took some surprising heroes for Cleveland to get this one.
Grades are based on our usual expectations for
each player.
Donovan Mitchell
37 points (12-21 shooting), 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers
Mitchell, for most of the game, was the only Cavalier who could generate any offense. He did it on an unhealthy dose of pull-up jumpshots. This isn’t the style that you normally want Mitchell to play. But he’s proven he can carry an offense that isn’t currently equipped to offer him much help. This was a special game from Mitchell, even if it’s something you don’t want to replicate.
Grade: A+
De’Andre Hunter
18 points (5-14 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers
Hunter started this game strong. His defense and rebounding were massively impactful and he made the extra pass multiple times to keep Cleveland’s offense flowing. But as the game wore on, Hunter’s misses began to pile up. This could have been a stellar night on both ends if his jumper had been falling. A 2-9 shooting night from beyond the arc nearly cost them.
Grade: C-
Evan Mobley
14 points (6-16 shooting), 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover
This was a rough game from Mobley. He had a hard time penetrating Atlanta’s defense as the Hawks loaded up in the paint and dared him to find alternative solutions. The quartet of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Krisaps Porzingis, and Jalen Johnson didn’t make it any easier for him. Mobley helped anchor the defense in the second half, but his lack of offensive production hurt the team the most.
To his credit, Mobley began to impact the game when Cleveland started feeding him on the roll. Mobley looks much better when he’s catching on the run than trying to create from a standstill. This should be a trend the Cavs continue to explore as Mobley scored or assisted on 11 points in the final five minutes. His late scoring, combined with his usual defense, gives Mobley a better finishing grade than I would have expected entering the fourth quarter.
Grade: C–
Support us and rep Evan Mobley with Homage!
We’ve partnered with Homage to help provide Cavs fans with the best gear. Anything bought from the links below helps support Fear the Sword while also allowing you to rep the Cavs. You can also shop all Homage Cavs gear HERE.
Jaylon Tyson
18 points (6-14 shooting), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover
Tyson has found his groove. Sure, he still gets too handsy on defense and puts himself into foul trouble. But he plays with an intensity that few players on the roster can match. He was everywhere on defense, often disrupting entire Atlanta possessions. He’s also settled into his role offensively, knocking down five three-pointers tonight. His confidence helped the Cavaliers surge past the finish line despite a valiant effort from Atlanta.
Grade: A+
Lonzo Ball
8 points (3-8 shooting), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers
This isn’t the best context for Ball to succeed. The Cavs are desperate for scoring, but he’s more of a playmaker. His best attribute isn’t as valuable when no one around him is making shots.
That said, Ball’s commitment to finding the open man finally broke the dam in the fourth quarter. He spoonfed Mobley a handful of easy scoring opportunities — then dished it to Jaylon Tyson for a backbreaker three. His playmaking paid off.
Grade: A-
Tyrese Proctor
4 points (1-3 shooting), 1 assist, 1 steal
This was a roller coaster game for Proctor. He was totally quiet in the first half before earning some crucial minutes in the final quarter. He nearly dunked all over the Hawks, airballed a three-pointer, and converted a huge layup during Cleveland’s rally. It was a weird game for Proctor — but his spark in the final quarter earns him a good grade.
Grade: B+
Larry Nance Jr.
3 points (1-9 shooting), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover
Nance was off tonight. There’s no way around it. He came up short on several easy opportunities in the paint and wasn’t finding much success on the defensive glass. Cleveland’s fourth-quarter run came when Nance was on the bench.
Grade: F
Dean Wade
11 points (4-9 shooting), 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Sometimes, Wade looks like one of the most helpful role players in the NBA. This was one of those times. He nailed a pair of three-pointers, dished four assists and helped steady the Cavaliers’ defense throughout an otherwise shaky night. A slightly better shooting night would have given him a perfect grade.
Grade: A
Craig Porter Jr.
4 points (2-2 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers
Porter wasn’t perfect in this game. His defense was part of the reason why Atlanta stuck around during the first three quarters. But Porter finally started to change the game when his activity resulted in a handful of turnovers. He played the fourth quarter at a breakneck speed and helped dig the Cavaliers’ offense out of the mud. He deserves massive credit for turning this one around.
Grade: A+
