The Cleveland Cavaliers closed out a win over the Chicago Bulls. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
WINNER – James Harden and Evan Mobley
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think this Cavalier team was built entirely around Harden and Mobley. The two flashed an inherent chemistry tonight, shredding Chicago’s defense and making this a carefree win for Cleveland.
Harden’s one of the best pick-and-roll creators of all time. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he’s managed to develop a relationship with Mobley, whose downhill finishing
makes him the ideal partner for a playmaker like Harden.
These two combined for 62 points tonight. Harden had the Bulls in a constant state of disarray, drilling three-pointers and punishing them with his passing. Mobley filled in brilliantly, claiming open space and making himself available as an outlet whenever the Bulls sent two defenders at Harden.
The blooming two-man game between Harden and Mobley is something to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. The more they can get out of each other, the better.
WINNER – Defense
Anyone who has watched a Cavs game this month can tell you that defense has been a concern. They were already torched by Milwaukee and Dallas this week. I couldn’t blame you if you worried that Chicago might deliver the same results.
The Cavs made sure that wouldn’t happen tonight. Well, for most of the night, at least.
We can talk all day about three-point variance and expected opponent shooting. But you know what tilts luck to your side? Playing good defense. Cleveland finally took control of their own fate by defending the perimeter and limiting Chicago from downtown.
This was one of the better defensive performances we’ve seen from the Cavs in March. They held the Bulls under 30 points in each of the first three quarters. And then… the fourth quarter happened.
LOSER – Whatever Happened in the 4th Quarter
Ending a game in the third quarter is harder than it looks. No matter the lead, modern NBA teams can cut into large deficits quickly. You can’t take your eyes off the prize. Not unless you want to risk blowing it all in the final 12 minutes.
I can only describe the fourth quarter as taking your foot off the gas. The Cavs got sloppy on offense. Stagnation led to poor shot attempts and turnovers. They were equally as disjointed on defense. Chicago jumped all over it and turned the United Center into an absolute frenzy. The Bulls outscored the Cavs 33-8 to pull within one point.
After leading by 20+ points for most of the game, Cleveland suddenly found itself in a dog fight with under four minutes to play. It turns out you can’t fall asleep at the wheel and expect your opponent to accept defeat.
The Cavs did just enough to stay in front. But let’s not do that again, okay?
WINNER – Jaylon Tyson
The last few box scores for Tyson haven’t looked pretty. He’s taken a hit in production as his role has been downgraded on a night-to-night basis. Tyson is either playing away from the ball or hardly seeing the floor at all nowadays. Take the previous game in Milwaukee, for example, where Tyson only played 13 minutes.
Tonight was different. Tyson naturally had a larger opportunity as Donovan Mitchell was ruled out with an eye contusion. Tyson slotted back into the starting lineup and took full advantage. He was impactful from the jump.
It was everything we’ve come to expect from Tyson. Energizing efforts on the glass. Battling for loose balls. Expertly timed cuts and efficient shooting. The type of stuff that makes you a premier role player at the NBA level. He finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Tyson still has work to do. He’s not a consistent defender, and he hasn’t fully solved how to play with both Mitchell and Harden at the same time. But he continues to show us that a pulse is still there — and this was his best game in more than two weeks.
