Is Evan Mobley showing he can be the player we want him to be?
The Cavs finish off this week going 2-2, including what was in my opinion a game of the year contender vs the Grizzlies, and cap off the week with Evan Mobleys career best game.
Game 1, vs the New Orleans Pelicans: 22 Minutes into the game, Donovan Mitchell was headed to the locker room with an injury. Little did we know, he wouldn’t return. No Mitchell though? No problem. Darius Garland showed off his dazzling ball handling and play making skills, scoring 30 points and dishing out 11 assists. Evan Mobley started off his strong week with a swell 19 points. The Cavs did what they always do, struggle early and come alive late for the win. We hate it as fans, but so far it has worked. Cavs win 113-103.
Game 2, @The Memphis Grizzlies: Game of the year? Maybe. The Cavs are a comeback team. And they nearly did it again this game… Down 19 at one point, mainly due to Desmond Bane shooting the lights out of the arena, the Cavs stormed back. Both teams traded shots late. Garland hit miracle 3’s. Ja drove into 4 defenders and scored. This game was a back and forth war of attrition. Ultimately, the Cavs fall by a single point in a tremendous game (without Mitchell as well). Definitely my favorite loss of the season, as odd as that sounds. Grizzlies win, 115-114.
Game 3, vs the Golden State Warriors: An ABSOLUTE letdown of a game. Maybe the worst game of the season for Cleveland. They did NOT take Golden States second team seriously, and in turn the warriors backups really put a beating on the Cavs, in Cleveland. VERY disappointing and I figured Coach Bickerstaff would’ve prepared them for that. I was wrong. The Cavs 3 point defense was atrocious. As a matter of fact the Cavaliers second ranked defense seemed to not exist at all; they underestimated and under achieved in this game. We deserved to lose, and we did, by a score of 120-114. Well played Warriors.
Game 4, vs the Milwaukee Bucks: With Giannis and Mitchell out for their respective teams, this turned out to be a high scoring affair. It also happened to be Evan Mobleys best game to date. We always hear of his potential; and he showed it in this game. Mobley led the Cavs with 38 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. He was the defensive menace he usually is as well. This was the most aggressive we’ve ever seen him, and he showed off his mid range jumper as well. It has tremendously improved. If he continues like this, and the Cavs stay healthy, they will be unstoppable. Garland dished out 12 assists to go with 21 points, while Jrue Holiday continued his scoring tear with 28 points as the Cavs win by a score of 114-102.
All stats provided courtesy of NBA.com
John Zimmerman