The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 4-3 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
22 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers
This wasn’t a great game from Mitchell, per se. We’ve seen him play much better than this. But compared to his recent performances, this felt huge. Mitchell fit in more than he fit out, despite starting the game 6-16 from the floor. The Cavs better utilized the space around him, cutting into the lane
and pounding the offensive glass.
If you can’t get Mitchell free, you can at least use the defensive attention he receives to your advantage elsewhere. The Cavs did that, and Mitchell leaned further into it than in the games before.
Grade: C+
James Harden
18 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers
Harden took care of the ball for his fewest turnovers in a game this series. That’s impressive stuff for a player who has struggled in elimination games in the past. Harden, like Mitchell, didn’t have his shot falling tonight. He was only 1-5 from deep and 3-9 from the floor. But he worked the extra mile to get into the teeth of Toronto’s defense and forced them into rotation just enough to keep the offense running smoothly.
Then on defense, Harden had his occasional lapses, but he also turned up huge for three steals that all felt like energizers.
He, of course, also kept the bigs involved. That’s half the reason you traded for him.
Grade: B
Evan Mobley
13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers
Mobley was a beast in games 5-6. His increased aggression and clutch performances were everything you hoped to see from him. I wouldn’t say much changed about his approach to tonight — only that his frontcourt partner stole the show.
This should be a moment of graduation for Mobley. He responded to a horrid stretch on the road by rattling off three of the more impactful and successful games of his playoff career. If he carries this forward, the Cavs will be in serious business.
Grade: B
Jarrett Allen
22 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks
I don’t think anything I type will do justice to the type of night Jarrett Allen just had.
“Man, he really put us over the top,” said Kenny Atkinson. “Best I’ve seen him.”
The Fro put on an absolute clinic in playoff toughness. He bruised the Toronto frontcourt, hammering them on the glass for 19 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Each rebound feels bigger than the last when playing in a Game 7 on your home floor. Allen punched in a deadly combo and ended the Raptors’ season with his rim-running efforts.
Grade: A+++
Dean Wade
5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Wade returned to the starting lineup tonight, and it immediately felt like the Cavs made the wrong decision. His indecisiveness on offense can make it hard to keep him on the floor. Especially against an aggressive team like the Raptors.
But Wade’s defense more than made up for that in this series. And despite this being his worst offensive game of the series, his minutes still felt impactful.
Grade: C+
Max Strus
12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Strus shot just 2-8 from downtown but was a team-high plus 20 tonight. I don’t think that’s a mistake. He had one of his better games of the series, bringing all of the intangibles you need to pull off a Game 7 victory. His intensity as an on-ball defender was a bright spot and something we hadn’t seen from him yet in the playoffs this year.
Grade: B+
Jaylon Tyson
7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Tyson’s composure in his first Game 7 was a standout. The young wing has never feared the moment before, so I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise.
The Cavs used Tyson in the short-roll to unlock their offense and punish Toronto for swarming the ball. His decision-making over the last two games showed that Tyson’s versatility can translate to the playoffs. The lights will only get brighter, but Tyson seems to be ready for that pressure.
Grade: B+
Sam Merrill
13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Merrill’s scoring kept the Cavs from falling too far behind in the first half. His quick trigger from deep was a vital release valve for Cleveland against an athletic Raptors defense.
Grade: A-
Dennis Schroder
2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Schroder’s Game 5 takeover was the anomaly from this series. Still, the additional ball handling he provides took pressure off Mitchell and Harden and widened their margin for error. That was helpful, though Schroder shot just 1-7 from the floor.
Grade: D
