It wasn’t easy and some of the youth was shown at the end of the game, but the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to hang on to improve to 2-1 at the start of a long road trip. Through 41 games, the Cavs have 23 wins and after Monday’s win over the Sacramento Kings, have already eclipsed last season’s win total.
The Cavaliers are right now on pace for a 46-win season and have the second-easiest remaining schedule the rest of the way, per Tankathon. Winning 50 games isn’t out of the question, but the Cavs would likely have to upgrade the backcourt scoring via trade (to hit that mark).
The Cavaliers were able to lead this last game the majority of the way at Sacramento, and they went on a run at the end of the second quarter and looked like they’d pull away and build a big lead much like the first game in Cleveland. The Kings fought back and were in striking distance going into the fourth, though.
Along with that, the Kings actually took the lead in the fourth and extended it to 5 briefly before the Cavs took control of the game and ultimately ending up hanging on for a 1-point victory.
Both teams got good production from their bench. Kevin Love continues to play at a high level and as long as the Cavs keep winning, he’ll continue to make a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year. Cedi Osman continued his career season adding 15 points, while Rajon Rondo only had 5 points, but he had 6 assists and has filled a big void in Ricky Rubio’s absence. He showed veteran leadership at the end and had the key stop defending De’Aaron Fox in the last possession.
And while it wasn’t in relation to the bench play, Jarrett’s 18 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks were significant in this one, too, and it was nice to see him rebound after a tough game at the Golden State Warriors for him and much of the team overall.
With that said, here, we’ll hit on one stud and one dud from Cleveland’s 109-108 win over Sacramento.
Cavs stud: Evan Mobley
We’re running out of ways to describe the impact and the player Evan Mobley has been as a rookie at this point. In this game he did a bit of everything and showed his complete package as a player, continuing to demonstrate further strides being made offensively. For the game he had 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting, to go with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and a steal.
As a 20-year-old rookie, he’s been nothing short of incredible so far for Cleveland. I think Darius Garland has been the Cavaliers’ best player, but at worst, Mobley is a close second and you can argue Mobley as Cleveland’s most important player. Even as a rookie, Mobley is arguably the Cavs’ most important player on a top 6 team in the Eastern Conference.
He’s historically great as a defender and could legitimately make an All-NBA Defensive Team, but he continues to show he can be a number one option on a contender as well down the road.
This looks like a pretty special 2021 NBA Draft class, but Mobley probably should’ve been the number one pick.
Although, you can’t blame the Detroit Pistons for taking Cade Cunningham, as he was the number one guy all year and as close to a sure thing you’ll find. I also like the Houston Rockets’ Jalen Green and think he’ll be an All-Star, however, the Rockets have to be kicking themselves. Mobley looks to be generational and could potentially be an MVP someday.
Cavs dud: Darius Garland
I think Darius Garland should and will be an All-Star, but these last two games have been rough for him. Granted, Garland was dealing with a sore back that is reportedly bothering him, per Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and via Evan Dammarell of Fear the Sword and Right Down Euclid, but Garland had a few rough turnovers down the stretch, in particular. Some of it may have been with this game being the second leg of a back-to-back, too.
Regardless, most of the game it was one of and probably the roughest game Garland has had through 3 quarters. For the game, Garland was able to get a double-double still, as he had 12 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal, but shot only 5-of-13 overall and 1-of-6 from 3-point range.
In fairness, Garland was able to find some rhythm in the closing stanza.
He was way more aggressive when it was needed, even with the sore back, and he scored 7 points in that closing frame. And he still did make some big passes, setting up several teammates and took control of the game enough to allow the Cavs to regain control to hold on.
Still, this was one where he was really off for most of it, objectively. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to rest him for a game or two if needed. Up next, the Cavaliers travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz.