Player Grades: Cavs vs. Pistons

Cavaliers run away with an easy win in J.B. Bickerstaff’s

The Cleveland Cavaliers are far more skilled than the Detroit Pistons and they played like it. They took control of the game early and cruised to an easy 113-101 victory.

These grades are based on our expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

19 points, 8-21 shooting, 5 assists, 2 boards

Mitchell had a slow start to his night as a scorer. He went just 3-9 from the field in the first half before turning it around some in the second half.

Mitchell was however active as a facilitator in the first half. He made an effort to find his open teammates, specifically Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. That’s what you want to see from your star scorer when he doesn’t have his shot going.

Grade: B-

Evan Mobley

16 points, 6-12 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks

Mobley continued the aggressive play he showed throughout the preseason and Wednesday’s season opener. That’s what you want to see. He knocked down a couple of threes, blocked a few shots, aggressively attacked off-the-dribble, and was willing to find his teammates when needed. The only blemishes were the two turnovers he committed due to passing up three-point shots he should’ve taken.

It’s encouraging that Mobley has been stacking these types of performances on top of each other. This wasn’t necessarily his best outing from a results standpoint, but the process remains mostly what you want.

Grade: B+

Darius Garland

13 points, 5-11 shooting, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Garland needed something to go his way after having a down season last year and the poor showing he had in the opener against the Toronto Raptors. This first quarter was that. He quickly asserted himself as he nailed three corner threes, including the last one that took its time before falling.

This wasn’t necessarily Garland’s best game. He struggled to find his shot after those initial threes, but the style of play was exactly what you wanted to see. Garland was moving off-ball, relocating to the corners, and kicking it out to shooters on the perimeter off of drives. Like Mobley, the process remains incredibly well. The results should follow.

Grade: B

Jarrett Allen

17 points, 5-7 shooting, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

This was a classic Allen game. He controlled the paint on both ends of the floor, was active as a screener, and celebrated a defensive three-second call. This is exactly what you pay Allen to do.

Grade: A+

Dean Wade

19 points, 7-9 shooting, 5-7 from three, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist

Wade’s defense is going to be there every time he steps on the court. The offensive side of the ball isn’t as guaranteed. This performance showed how that shouldn’t be the case.

Offensive skill hasn’t been an issue with Wade. Confidence in himself seems like it has been. We saw what he looks like when he isn’t gun-shy. He didn’t hesitate on his three-point looks and showed great touch around the rim which included this impressive and-one through contact.

Grade: A+

Caris LeVert

9 points, 4-7 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

LeVert continues to look like a different player under Kenny Atkinson. He’s being allowed to do what he does best — but within an environment that forces him to make quicker decisions. So far, the results have been incredibly impressive.

LeVert followed up a 19-point, 8-9 performance against Toronto with a just as good showing, despite the less impressive box score.

Grade: A-

Ty Jerome

13 points, 4-6 shooting, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Jerome remains the biggest surprise so far of the young season. His ability to control the pace and understand when to attack within the offense is what has allowed him to be so successful.

Atkinson wants to go with a ten-man rotation for a lot of the season. Jerome comfortably belongs within that group. If he keeps playing like this, he has a good argument to be in it when the rotation shortens up.

Grade: A

Sam Merrill

0 points, 0-4 shooting, 2 assists, 1 rebound

Merrill is getting his opportunity. He was the first reserve off the bench once again, but he can’t buy a basket. Merrill held up better defensively than he did in the season-opener where he picked up four fouls, but he still didn’t make any shots.

Merrill is in the game because of his shooting ability and three-point gravity. The first half of that doesn’t work if he isn’t hitting his shots. It’s a make-or-miss league. That’s especially true for Merrill.

Grade: D

Georges Niang

3 points, 1-3 shooting, 4 rebounds

Niang hit a nice pull-up three in the final minute of the third quarter. Other than that, it was a quiet game aside from the technical foul he picked up after his dust-up with Malik Beasley.

Grade: C-

Isaac Okoro

4 points, 2-2 shooting, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

Okoro looks like someone who’s still figuring out how he fits within the offense. He was a late addition to summer workouts and this has shown through at times.

There were moments where you could see how Okoro’s skills could be used. He’s doing a nice job of cutting through the opposite dunker’s spot instead of pulling up before getting through the lane like he’s done in years past. Okoro also had a nice pass to Mobley at the start of the fourth quarter after attacking off-the-dribble.

You can see how Atkinson wants to use Okoro in the offense. It’ll be interesting to track how that looks when it all comes together.

Grade: B