Lately it’s been tough sledding for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s mainly because they’ve played the last several games without potential All-Star point guard Darius Garland. Things got even tougher when they lost Ricky Rubio for the season. The vast inexperience the Cavs have recently gotten from guard play is the biggest reason for their recent struggles and they’re right now just trying to get by until Garland/recent trade acquisition Rajon Rondo get into the lineup.
Granted, in Cleveland’s win on Sunday night over the Indiana Pacers, Indiana had quite a few guys out and it looked pretty clear the Cavaliers were trying to force the Pacers to beat them from deep, but to the Pacers credit most of the night they were able to do that. They shot 19-of-47 from three-point range for the game (40.4 percent), although only 44 percent for the game. The Pacers had a pretty big edge in the three-point department but the Cavs were able to make up for that inside the paint. Cleveland outscored Indiana there 58-26.
Again the inexperience at guard has really hurt the Cavs the past few games, but that hasn’t stopped the play from some of their frontcourt players. This was Jarrett Allen’s second game back from COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and he was sensational. Allen had another double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting 6-of-12 from the field overall, and he tacked on two blocks.
Plus, Kevin Love continued his hot shooting that he displayed throughout December, of which KJG’s John Suchan highlighted, and in Cleveland’s first game of 2022, Love showed how he could quite possibly be pushing for Sixth Man of the Year. Love eclipsed the 20-point mark again with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while shooting 3-of-6 from deep and 6-of-13 overall.
This is a game the Cavs really needed and had to find a way to gut through with still some key guys out. With that said, he’ll we’ll take a closer look at one stud and one dud from this 108-104 win over the Pacers.
Cavs stud: Evan Mobley
Allen had another good game and Love continues to be strong off the bench, but it had to be Evan Mobley here. For the game Mobley led all scorers with 24 points, and along with that, had 9 rebounds and 4 assists, and shot 11-of-16 from the field. Mobley continues to contest shots and alter shots in an impactful way as he did in this game, although he did have some trouble at times matched up against Domantas Sabonis, who had 32 points and 7 assists against Cleveland’s defense.
However, Mobley did come up with some clutch defensive sequences and helped the team defense, but what needs to be said is what Mobley’s showing offensively as well.
Mobley as a rookie is one of the best defenders in the league and could potentially make an All-Defensive Team, which is unheard of as a rookie. He’s really, really good offensively and continues to get better and look more comfortable, too, even with that. He’s shown potential as a three-point shooter, but his mid-range game is already consistent and the same can be said about his post fadeaway which is one of his go-to moves.
The Cavs went to him late in the game and Mobley was able to deliver some clutch buckets. Guys Mobley’s size shouldn’t be able to move the way he moves (only a few can at that size), but Mobley also is very skilled and has great touch around the rim as well. Mobley is special defensively, however, he’s really rare offensively for his age as a big, too, so you can tell he’s going to be special on that end additionally.
Rookies and guys this young typically aren’t this from the start and don’t impact winning this much, which is why Mobley is the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year at this point.
Cavs dud: Lauri Markkanen
Of the guys that have been affected most by Garland’s absence due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, nobody has been impacted more then Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen has been solid for the Cavs, as he’s been in the best point guard position in his entire career. With that Markkanen has been able to truly show off his skill set and show the kind of impact he can make on a good team. With Garland out and the Rubio injury the looks have been a bit tougher on him, unfortunately.
For the game Markkanen had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while shooting 2-of-6 from three and 5-of-12 from the field overall. Markkanen has been in a dry spell from three lately, as KJG’s Dan Gilinsky demonstrated, admittedly, but the absence of Garland and Rubio have made the looks a lot tougher.
It was a big struggle for Markkanen especially early in the game; even still, to his credit he was still able to have an effect on the game in other areas. He was still able to get to the rim a couple times, he hit some post-ups and is able to do damage in the mid-range game. And he was able to come to life with his outside shot and hit a big three in the fourth, too.
Garland should be back soon, while the Cavs just traded for Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers. Getting those guys in the lineup should help Lauri and I’d expect him to bounce back and start hitting shots again from the outside far more consistently, as he had been in a stretch of games prior to this slump, as the aforementioned Gilinsky hit on.