Cavs: 3 stars from back-to-back wins over Atlanta and Denver

Cavs’ Third Star: Evan Mobley

With all due respect to Kevin Love for riding some hot shooting to 17 points per game over the two wins, Evan Mobley gets the final spot due to his defense. The rookie has been truly exceptional right from the jump, and he was crucial to the Cavs’ lockdown defense in their two wins.

His ability to move his feet and stay in front of opposing ball-handlers wrecked the Atlanta Hawks, who were unable to exploit him as a mismatch against Trae Young. Multiple times Young came at Mobley, and multiple times he was turned away or even stuffed outright. Mobley continued that trend against the Nuggets, sliding inside and then sprinting back outside without losing his stance.

Mobley has been efficient on offense as well, shooting 55 percent from the field in the two games. In the win over the Hawks he showed his growth just this year, exploding out of the dunker’s spot to catch multiple lob passes, including this dime from Rubio:

Against the Nuggets he had multiple turnovers when he held the ball and tried to survey the court. When he simply goes, his instincts carry him to the right spot. He also has solid passing vision, including hitting Lauri Markkanen for a lop dunk early in the fourth as the Cavs ripped off a 10-0 run to break the game open.

Jarrett Allen, Ricky Rubio and Evan Mobley were all standout players from the Cavs’ two wins, and both earn the “stars” of the weekend. As Cleveland faces four more games on this grueling West Coast road trip, all three will have a chance to make another upset victory.