Cavs player grades from season opening win

Evan Mobley showed just how special of a player he could be.

The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Toronto Raptors during their season opener as indicated by the 136-106 final score.

The grades are based on what we expect for each player. It’s difficult to find fault with many players in as thorough of a beatdown as this was.

Donovan Mitchell

21 points, 7-14 shooting, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

This was a classic Mitchell game. He set the tone early with eight points in the opening frame and then was on the floor during Cleveland’s dominant second quarter run. He was a team best +20 in the second quarter alone.

This was Mobley’s night, but Mitchell still put up the type of performance you’d expect to see from an All-NBA caliber guard.

Grade: A

Evan Mobley

25 points, 9-14 shooting, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals

It’s difficult not to get hyperbolic after this type of performance. Mobley was far and away the best player on both sides of the court and it wasn’t really close. This included getting the better of Scottie Barnes repeatedly on defense.

And offense as well.

The skills Mobley displayed as a ball handler were impressive. The Raptors didn’t have an answer for him when he was getting downhill with the ball. But at the same time, there’s only so much you can do with someone as big and skilled as Mobley. He made it look effortless on Wednesday night.

When he was walled off from the paint, he made the correct passes out to the perimeter. The three assists he ended up with don’t accurately reflect how good of a facilitator he was.

This was arguably the best all-around game he’s played as a professional.

Grade: A+

Darius Garland

7 points, 3-12 shooting, 6 assists, 1 rebound

Garland was the only Cavalier in the rotation who really struggled. He had a difficult time finding a rhythm after picking up four fouls in the first half. And while he showed some good things, like passing out to the corner off of drives and moving off-ball, your play can only be so good when the results were this poor.

Grade: D

Jarrett Allen

14 points, 5-7 shooting, 7 boards, 4 blocks

The Cavs had the size advantage coming into this game and used it. They held Toronto to just 55% shooting at the rim (19th percentile) and made sure they didn’t get there (only 29% of their shots came in the restricted area, 28th percentile). Allen’s four blocked shots were a big reason why Toronto’s numbers looked like that.

Grade: A

Dean Wade

5 points, 2-5 shooting, 8 rebounds, 2 steals

Wade’s final numbers aren’t impressive. You’d like to see him take more than five shots. But the defense was good and it didn’t feel like he passed up any wide open looks. He fit in nicely with the starters which is what is most important.

Grade: B

Caris LeVert

19 points, 8-9 shooting, 4 assists

The Cavs took the game over in the second quarter where they outscored Toronto 36-17. They officially put it away in the third when they scored 36 points again. LeVert was a big reason why the offense was so good as he accounted for 15 points on 6-6 shooting in the third quarter alone.

Grade: A+

Sam Merrill

7 points, 2-4 shooting, 4 fouls

Merrill got minutes earlier in this game than what we’ve grown accustomed to in previous years. He made a positive impact offensively when he was on the court and proved to be a good fit within Kenny Atkinson’s offense.

The defensive side of the floor was a different story. He picked up four fouls in just 16 minutes. That’s not something that can become a trend if he wants to keep that spot in the rotation.

Grade: C-

Isaac Okoro

3 points, 1-2 shooting, 2 assists, 1 block

Okoro struggled to find a role within the offense even in garbage time. That will need to change if he wants to find a higher spot in Atkinson’s rotation.

Grade: C-

Georges Niang

11 points, 4-5 shooting

This was a template for how you’d like to see Niang play this season. He was a good screener both on and off-ball. And he converted his looks when given the chance to finish at the basket or hit an open three.

Grade: A

Ty Jerome

14 points, 6-7 shooting, 6 assists

Jerome’s point total is a little misleading. Ten of his 14 came during garbage time in the fourth quarter. That said, it was his play in the second quarter that really stood out.

Jerome looked like the player Koby Altman said was “balling” during scrimmages in September in the second quarter. He was getting downhill and repeatedly finding open players when he did. This led to him playing a big part in the Cavs dominant second quarter run with Garland sidelined due to foul trouble.

Grade: A+

Jaylon Tyson

4 points, 1-1 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers

Tyson’s first NBA action was a mixed bag. He had a good take to the rim that resulted in free throws and confidently pulled from three for his one field goal attempt. Both are things you’d like to see. That said, he had some tough moments on defense and still needs to figure out his place in a professional offense.

Grade: C