The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up their second-straight victory against a Western Conference playoff team as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 129-113.
The stats in the table below are from Cleaning the Glass.
Now, let’s dive into some of the stats.
- Thirty-two of the Cavs’ 48 field goals were assisted. They’re at their best when the ball is moving around the court, and everyone is touching it. That was happening on New Year’s Eve.
- Six Cavaliers had three or more assists: Donovan Mitchell (seven), Darius Garland (six), Evan Mobley (five), Jaylon Tyson (three), Jarrett Allen (three), and Craig Porter Jr. (three). This is the sign of a team that is moving the ball well.
- The Cavs finished the game with six players with double-digit point totals: Mitchell (34), Garland (19), Tyson (18), Mobley (16), Jarrett Allen (16), and Sam Merrill (16). Again, this is what happens when the ball is moving well.
- Mitchell had a near triple-double with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Mitchell has yet to have a triple-double in his career. This was the closest he’s been this year.
- The Cavs are now 9-2 when Mitchell scores 34 or more points in a game and 1-7 when he plays and scores 21 or fewer. He scored 34 on 10-18 shooting against Phoenix.
- The Cavs lost the points off turnover battle 16-11 as they coughed it up 14 times. This was a good offensive showing. They had a strong, effective field-goal percentage and did a good job on the offensive glass. Their inability to take care of the ball slightly nullified that.
- The Suns grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. This led to Phoenix winning the second-chance points battle 15-12. Head coach Kenny Atkinson joked shortly after coming to the postgame podium that they’re going to do defensive rebounding drills. While some of those rebounds came on a few bad possessions, this is still a problem area.
- The Cavaliers asserted their will with a 16-2 and 11-2 run in the first quarter. They’re at their best when they’re burying their opponents by turning good defense into offense. They got off on the right foot to start the game.
- Cleveland ended the game with 16-5 at the start of the fourth. Their play in the second and third quarters wasn’t exceptional, but if you start and end the game as well as the Cavs did, it’ll likely lead to good things.
- Phoenix went 11-31, 35% (0th percentile) in the restricted area. You’re going to have a great defense if you defend the rim to the level the Cavs were on Wednesday. Mobley’s five blocks, and the starting lineup front court featuring him, Allen, and Dean Wade, went a long way in ensuring that happened.
- The Cavaliers outscored the Suns 56-36 in points in the paint. Dominating the paint is always going to lead to good results.
- The Cavs registered a 112 half-court offensive rating (86th percentile). They shot the ball well, 39.5% from three, but also did a good job of getting to the rim and attacking the offensive glass. Those are all going to help a half-court offense.
- Porter was a monster on the glass, as he grabbed nine rebounds, including four on the offensive end. He’s continually providing something that this team needs when he’s inserted into the game. It’s difficult to envision him losing his spot in the rotation anytime soon.
