To open the 2022-2023 NBA regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost 105-108 on the road to the Toronto Raptors after Darius Garland went down with an eye injury early on. From there, Donovan Mitchell showcased his offensive prowess by propelling the Cavaliers on an eight-game win streak, three of which came from grueling overtime showdowns. Going into the All-Star break, Cleveland went on a seven-game win streak before losing the final game before the break.
So, where are the Cavaliers after the All-Star festivities? What are the differences in these two win streaks?
To begin, the Cavaliers went on their seven-game win streak before the break without any overtime battles or stressfully close games. Secondly, these wins came with a majority of games ending in double digit leads. Cleveland did not just win these games; they dominated nearly every quarter.
Not every win is equal. At the start of the year, the Cleveland Cavaliers won games from behind constantly, even after Darius Garland came back from his eye injury. To be a true contender, Cleveland needed to win convincingly against their opponents game after game. Now, the Cavaliers are a truer force to be reckoned within the East, looking more confident with every dribble of the ball and every scored basket off a beautiful assist.
Two players have been most influential in this boost to Cleveland’s season: Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro.
Evan Mobley’s leap
Mobley’s offensive leap has given the Cleveland Cavaliers another threat for opposing defenses to have to plan for. In the early eight-game win streak for Cleveland, Evan Mobley averaged 14 points, 2.4 assists and 6.9 rebounds. In the recent seven-game streak, Evan’s averaged jumped to 18 points, 2.9 assists and 9.3 rebounds.
This offensive jump is not from inefficient playing, either. Evan has continued playing smart, looking for his best shots and most open teammates.
Instead, he has begun pushing the intensity every time he gets the ball in his hands, showing off a growing ball handling talent and blowing past defenders with a Giannis-esque determination.
Defensively, Evan has not fallen off as his offense improves. His effort on both ends is not slipping, showing glimpses of that two-way juggernaut Cleveland has hoped Evan could develop into ever since his first game in a Cavaliers uniform.
While Evan’s game still has ways to grow, especially at the free throw line and behind the three-point arc, his determination to improve is showing promise for the last third of games of Cleveland’s regular season.