Allen came up huge tonight in the win.
The Cleveland Cavaliers needed this win. They beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-101 behind the best game of Jarrett Allen’s season.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
10 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers
Mitchell struggled to break free tonight. His decision-making was actively hurting the team until he finally found a groove in the fourth quarter. The Cavs might have run San Antonio off the floor if Mitchell had played up to his usual standards. But hey, it happens.
Grade: D+
Darius Garland
15 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds
Garland made sure Cleveland’s offense had a pulse even when shots weren’t dropping. His constant probing led to countless opportunities for his teammates. This was a fantastic game from DG. The only thing holding him back was a quiet scoring night (5-13 FG).
Grade: A-
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Evan Mobley
16 points, 2 assists, 7 rebounds
The Cavs could have used more from Mobley. He wasn’t super aggressive in creating for himself. This is enough for a win in December, but it can’t be the approach he takes in the playoffs. Let’s hope he’s just taking it slow after the calf strain.
Still, I can’t complain about 7-13 shooting. And considering Allen was such an emphasis, it makes sense Mobley wasn’t as loud tonight.
Grade: B
Sam Merrill
5 points, 1 assist, 0 rebounds
Merrill is taking his bumps and bruises this season. He was knocked around multiple times tonight and shot 1-6 from the floor. But I thought he was otherwise helpful.
Grade: C–
Jarrett Allen
27 points, 10 rebounds, 0 assists
The man of the hour. A big game from Allen is something this team sorely needed. Allen finally looked alert and alive tonight as he relentlessly put pressure on the rim. The Cavs did a great job of finding Allen — and he rewarded them each time.
Grade: A+
Jaylon Tyson
11 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds
This kid has it. Tyson was quiet for three quarters before erupting in the fourth quarter with momentum-swinging three-pointers. His development might change everything for this team if they can ever wake up and be competitive again, like they did tonight.
Grade: A
De’Andre Hunter
11 points, 2 assists, 9 rebounds
This is much more like it. Hunter didn’t shoot the lights out, but he was efficient and fought hard. His activity on the glass might have been a career-best. His 9 rebounds all felt heavily contested, and he worked for each one of them.
Grade: B+
Dean Wade
10 points, 0 assists, 5 rebounds
Wade made up for his no-show performance from the other night. He’s looked more effective on defense as the team around him starts to plug some holes. He also shot 4-7 tonight, which always helps.
Grade: A-
Craig Porter Jr.
2 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds
Porter was key to the final run of this game. He made a crucial defensive play to help keep Cleveland in the driver’s seat and his offensive rebounding is something this team hasn’t had in the backcourt. We want to see more Porter minutes moving forward.
Grade: A-
Category: General Sports
