Player Grades: Cavs vs Bulls – Darius Garland scores 35 points in loss

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost four of their last five. This one was just about as ugly as the rest.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Darius Garland

35 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds

The Cavs might have lost, but they really needed this performance from Garland. He was dynamite from the opening tip. Shifty, elusive, and making all of the right plays. Garland had 25 points going into the fourth quarter and finished with 30+ points for the first time all season.

Again, you can only take so much encouragement from another loss, but this game showed Garland can be effective even with his lingering toe injury.

Grade: A-

Jarrett Allen

14 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Allen took an unorthodox approach to this game. He opened as a facilitator, dishing 5 assists before scoring his first points in the second half. He then put on a clinic in the third quarter, scoring 10 points on 5-6 shooting in that frame. All the while, he grabbed 12 rebounds.

In a normal season, this would have been more than enough for the Cavs to pick up a win over the Bulls. But there are deeper issues on this team right now. I don’t think it’s fair to project too many of the Cavs’ issues onto Allen — who otherwise did his job tonight.

Grade: A-

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Jaylon Tyson

9 points, 1 assist, 5 rebounds

Tyson had a rough start to this one. He shot 0-4 in the first half and picked up a few frustration fouls along the way. He finally broke free in the second half, running in transition and scoring some key buckets out of the short-roll. But overall, this was one of Tyson’s only duds this season.

Grade: C-

Lonzo Ball

8 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

Ball has turned in plenty of frustrating performances this season. Tonight, I thought he showcased some of his redeeming qualities. He dished 8 assists, grabbed a pair offensive rebounds, shot 3-4 from the field, and energized the Cavs with his look-ahead passes in transition.

His activity on defense led to multiple Bulls’ turnovers and changed the momentum of this game in the third quarter. However, Ball was also guilty of some defensive breakdowns that likely cost them the game… which makes this one hard to enjoy.

Grade: C+

Tyrese Proctor

16 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds

Proctor earned his first career start tonight and began the game with consecutive three-pointers. His production trailed off as the first half went on — but he snapped back to life with a huge third quarter. He finished with 16 points, the second most on the team.

Grade: A

De’Andre Hunter

11 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds

I’m running out of things to say. This has been one of the most disappointing and frustrating stretches of basketball I can recall from a Cavalier. Poor shooting, bad defense, and worse effort. I don’t know how things could possibly get worse for Hunter.

Grade: F

Dean Wade

2 points, 1 assist, 5 rebounds

The Cavs could really use some consistency from Wade. He’s regressed defensively and hasn’t had any touch from deep this season. It’s all come crashing down at the worst time.

Grade: D

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

15 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds

Tomlin was shot out of a cannon tonight. He bolted to the rim for three dunks in the first half, and continued his rampage into the second half by nailing a pair of corner three-pointers. He did all of his damage in just 21 minutes.

Grade: A-

Thomas Bryant

11 points, 2 assists, 4 rebounds

Bryant continues to give his all. His intensity is always appreciated.

Grade: A-