February has been a breath of fresh air for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland lost their last game at the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night because of an awful first half, but that won seven straight contests, and five by double digits.
Some of the recent Ws for the Cavs have been against teams that have been without key contributors, and that has objectively had some to do with it.
But it’s not as if Cleveland has not had its injury woes this season, and the Cavaliers have themselves have had some less than forgiving circumstances in this stretch, too, from a schedule standpoint.
All things considered, the performance from these Cavaliers of late and at various times in positive stretches last month should not be taken for granted, and several players have been stepping up for the club of late. It’s been a team effort for the Clevelanders, and one shouldn’t lose sight of that.
That being said, some Cavaliers have absolutely been standouts leading into the All-Star break, and here, we’ll give those players their shoutouts. Others have chipped in throughout, too, these guys have just been the key cogs game-to-game for a significant stretch.
In no particular order regarding importance, necessarily, we’ll get started.
# Cavs standouts leading into the All-Star break – No. 1: Jarrett Allen
Jarrett Allen has been playing dynamite basketball for the Cavaliers nearly all season long, and in February, he’s been especially dominant. This month, he’s had 18.9 points per contest on 74.4 percent shooting, to go with 10.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks through eight games.
Aside from the Philly game versus Joel Embiid, who lights up virtually everybody, Allen’s been outstanding on the defensive end with how he’s been so disruptive in the paint, and his help play there has been exceptional. Plus, his pick-and-roll defense has been superb, whether he’s been switching out at times or playing more in drop/hedging. Allen has aided the Cavs with his active, high hands and his rim protection has been big-time.
Along with the defensive efforts from him, the big man has been playing with force on offense, and has been hyper-efficient with his finishing at the rim with dunks, and his post-up game in the paint has blossomed.
He’s also mixed in finishing with touch on push shots, which has been something that he’s displayed more regularly over the course of the past two seasons. It’s made him more formidable on the offensive end, and it’s been nice to see his growth as a situational passer and ball mover in set offense this season.
Overall, Allen’s been playing great basketball for a while for Cleveland, but even more so in recent weeks/this month. And it’s apparent that he’s taken further strides as a leader for this group.
Cavs recent standout No. 2: Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley has been playing at a different level for quite some time now, as he’s dazzled with his two-way abilities. In his last 15 appearances, he’s put up 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest, and has converted on 54.0 percent of his shots.
Mobley’s defensive skill set is so important for what the Wine and Gold want to do on that end of the floor, and in recent weeks, his help and weak side rim protection has been all the more beneficial for the teams’ defense. For a 21-year-old, second-year big, his instincts on the business side of the game can’t be praised enough.
Also, as the season has worn on, Mobley’s assertiveness offensively has paid dividends, and it’s been big-time for him individually, and has given the team offense a different dynamic. His pick-and-roll finishing, post-up touch and footwork and passing have all provided an offensive boost for the Cavaliers, and the mid-range shot creation flashes have to have many salivating about what could be in-store down the road as he refines his game.
What is probably the most noteworthy aspect of Mobley’s overall game, though, is how he finds ways to regularly impact winning as such a young player for the Cavs. Among Cavs players in the last 15 outings, he leads the team in total plus-minus at plus-164.
Cavs recent standout No. 3: Darius Garland
Darius Garland has been playing at a different level in recent weeks, similarly to Allen in that way. Garland did not make the All-Star Game this go-round, but that doesn’t diminish what he’s been doing for the Cavaliers as a playmaker, shooter and surging all-level scorer.
In Garland’s last 13 games, he’s averaged 21.8 points per game on a scorching 68.0 percent true shooting clip, and he’s connected on 50.7 percent of his three-point attempts. Garland’s range, movement shooting strides, and silky smooth handle have all been on display in recent weeks, and he’s helped the Cavs run out to early leads in this current streak, and in the same breadth, shut the door on opponents.
What shouldn’t be glossed over, perhaps even more importantly, is how Garland has been setting up his Cavalier teammates for success. In that aforementioned 13-game stretch, Garland has posted 7.7 assists per game, to 2.6 turnovers.
In Cleveland’s seven-game heater, he’s had a 7.2 assist per game clip, to 3.7 turnovers, so the splits are a bit less gaudy, but he’s still had imprint all over games, and his team defensive instincts have helped the club, too.
As we touched on, Garland was not given an All-Star nod, which was a bit disappointing. Despite that, he’s been terrific for these Cavaliers, and that All-Star snub will assuredly be added motivation for him.
Cavs recent standout No. 4: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell went through a rough patch of games in January, partly with his shot being off at the time and partly because of a groin injury that seemed to be affecting him somewhat. He dealt with sickness last month as well.
Since, though, he’s often been back to playing at a high level, and in the past two weeks or so, his three-level scoring, driving and playmaking abilities have all been huge for the surging Cavaliers. In his seven appearances in February, Mitchell has had 25.6 points per contest, to go with 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
His past two games have been All-Star worthy as well, with 41 points and a six-triple effort in Monday night’s win over the San Antonio Spurs, and Mitchell had 33 points thanks to some dazzling shot-making and ball handling in Cleveland’s near-comeback at the Sixers on Wednesday night. He tacked on five assists apiece in both of those contests, and his vision and ever-improving chemistry offensively with Mobley and Allen has been encouraging to see in recent weeks, too, for what it’s worth.
Mitchell is rightfully an All-Star starter for the first in his career in his former home building in Vivint Arena in Utah, and despite some rough outings here and there dating back to last month, he’s finding his All-Star form once again.
The trade has and will benefit both sides long term, but from a Cavs’ standpoint in this sense, nobody can realistically fault Cleveland for acquiring a superstar in Mitchell in that offseason deal.
Cavs recent standout No. 5: Isaac Okoro
Isaac Okoro has turned a corner this play for the Wine and Gold seemingly since the turn of the calendar to 2023 as well.
Okoro’s perimeter defense is going to be what many point out from him, and with matchup versatility in mind, and his constant ball pressure, that’s always going to be the primary expectation from him.
Realistically, that’s a fair take, too, and I’m in the same boat there. We have to know at this point, Okoro is a defensive-oriented contributor, and that’s fine with others involved at the other end. He’s seemingly made progress as a team defender as well, and his hustle plays shouldn’t go unnoticed there, either.
However, Okoro has been more productive offensively recently, and he deserves some praise for his development there. In his last 21 appearances, he has demonstrated some further catch-and-shoot growth, as he’s connected on 44.4 percent of his three-point attempts in that span.
The volume then hasn’t been a ton, at 3.0 attempts per outing, but he’s clearly shooting with far less hesitation when the chances have been there, and he has converted well on looks to counter closeouts on the interior. Connecting passing has been a positive, playing off that, from Okoro, too.
It’s difficult to say what the minutes-share moving forward is going to be for Okoro, with the offensive questions still, as an aside. To his credit, though, he’s showing more signs of two-way viability for the Wine and Gold, and has had a strong response to what was a rough start to the season.
Cavs recent standout No. 6: Caris LeVert
Last but not least, Caris LeVert deserves some love for his recent play for the Cavaliers. As he’s settled into a bench role, he’s helped the team more consistently.
Sure, there’s some off nights for LeVert in the scoring sense, still, and in his last 12 appearances, he’s posted 9.2 points per contest. In that stretch, he’s shot 33.3 percent from three, and has shot 37.3 percent overall.
On the plus side, LeVert has bought into aiding the group with solid defense, making multiple-effort plays regularly, and his passing has given the Cavaliers a lift. In that 12-game span, he’s put up 5.0 assists per contest, to 1.5 turnovers.
Even with his offensive output not being nearly what it was with previous teams, LeVert has contributed in other ways for Cleveland, and in this latest chunk of games, that has especially jumped out. He’s gotten his hands in passing lanes, disrupted opponents’ driving rhythm, and his secondary playmaking and transition play has given the Cavs a jolt.
It seemed to be a legit possibility that LeVert, who is an expiring player, could be moved at the trade deadline, and there’s still some questions about him come the postseason with these Cavaliers.
But LeVert was not ultimately moved, and the team could seemingly re-sign LeVert in the offseason. Time will tell on that front, however, he has fared better as the season has worn on than I would’ve anticipated.