CLEVELAND — A shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers fell 110-99 to Toronto.
Grades are based on our expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
17 points, 8 assists, 1 rebound
This was a roller coaster game from Mitchell. He
opened by being a distributor, handing out 6 assists in the first half but shooting 3-14 from the floor. Then, all at once, he was in the middle of a fourth quarter heat check to bring the Cavs back into the game. It was over almost as soon as it began.
Grade: D+
Lonzo Ball
8 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds
Ball was the quarterback tonight. He had his finger on the pulse of Cleveland’s offense and helped them navigate a handful of cold spells by making the right pass, and of course, holding them afloat on defense. If it weren’t for his horrific shooting (3-15), this would have been a quality performance.
Grade: C-
Evan Mobley
14 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds
The Cavs needed an aggressive version of Mobley tonight. In part because of all of the injuries. But more importantly, because Toronto is a team full of wings that Mobley should be able to score over. He wasn’t aggressive enough tonight despite having the advantage.
Mobley had made 5 of his first 6 attempts entering the fourth quarter — but took just one shot in the final frame. This grade might feel harsh considering his box score, but this just can’t happen anymore. Mobley is too important to disappear in the fourth.
Grade: F
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Larry Nance Jr.
6 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
Nance felt a step too slow when trying to keep up with Toronto’s pace. This led to numerous defensive breakdowns and transition opportunities for the Raps. That said, Nance knocked down a pair of triples to help open the floor for Cleveland.
Grade: D+
Jaylon Tyson
15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Tyson is developing into a super helpful two-way player. He’s knocking down standstill three-pointers with confidence and bringing physicality to the defensive end of the floor.
Grade: A-
Tyrese Proctor
8 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds
Proctor has plenty of promise as a catch-and-shoot threat who can create off the dribble and play good defense in the backcourt. He wasn’t able to put all of that together tonight, shooting 2-9 from the floor and 0-5 from deep.
Grade: D+
Luke Travers
5 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds
Travers came up short on all of his first-half attempts and finished 1-6 from the field. He was more impactful in Cleveland’s win over the Clippers.
Grade: D
Thomas Bryant
5 points, 1 assist, 2 rebounds
The Cavs turned to Bryant for some frontcourt reinforcements as Allen, Wade and Hunter were all on the sidelines. Bryant wasn’t overly impactful until the fourth quarter, when he canned a momentum-swinging three-pointer.
Grade: C+
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
14 points, 0 assists, 4 rebounds
Tomlin is becoming a mainstay in Cleveland’s rotation. Part of this is due to injuries. Though I expect Tomlin will make it hard for Kenny Atkinson to ignore him if he keeps playing with this level of infectious energy.
Grade: A–
Chris Livingston
7 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds
Livingston made his Cavalier debut tonight. Within seconds, he cut to the hoop for an and-one finish. The start of his fourth quarter stint was similar. Livingston attacked the basket for multiple layups and stole an inbounds pass to help halt Toronto’s momentum.
Grade: A+
