As much as issues change, they keep the same. The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the new season with a efficiency that was eerily related (and equally as deflating) to their Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks in May.
Let’s unpack this.
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As always, grades are based mostly on our typical expectations for each participant.
Player of the recreation
Mario Hezonja
10 factors, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
If there is a single factor I can go away this recreation feeling inspired about — it was Mario Hezonja.
Hezonja seems like he belongs. His added energy permits him to be a mismatch-beater in the post, placing Philly into a bind anytime they switched a smaller participant onto him. Hezonja is a expert finisher and a artful playmaker. This makes him a great option to have on their bench.
Defensively, Hezonja stored up with Philly’s tempo (until the wheels came off around him). His isolation protection on Jaylen Brown was a spotlight. So was this pick-six.
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He also had a pair of surgical post-ups to finish the third quarter that gave me life.
Grade: B+
Passed the Class
Donovan Mitchell
32 factors, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers
There was a lot to like about Mitchell’s first half. He scored 22 factors and only missed two pictures. His dynamic scoring gave Cleveland a large lead that should have been enough to coast to victory.
It wasn’t. And Mitchell’s turnovers (5) did not help the Cavs maintain on as the lead was slipping.
Still, I think Mitchell is the only other participant who did enough to keep a passing grade. I’m not saying he handed with flying colours — but an environment friendly 32 factors and 10 rebounds is exhausting to knock. I do not think he was the most guilty celebration in this meltdown.
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Grade: C+
Missed the mark
Peyton Watson
8 factors, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 5 turnovers
This was not a good exhibiting for Watson. The largest concern you could have had (his impact on the ground spacing) was a issue straight away.
Philly started ignoring Watson in the second half. Leaving him open and packing the paint. He responded by clanking an open three-pointer and barreling into visitors. Watson shot 0-3 from downtown and had 5 turnovers.
We can see where Watson matches defensively, and it’s lovely. But they’ll need much more from him offensively to justify this.
Grade: F
Jarrett Allen
14 factors, 7 rebounds
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Allen was electric to begin this recreation. His 14 factors in the first half felt large as the 76ers merely could not comprise him.
It turns out, the Cavs would help Philly flip the tide in that regard.
Allen did not rating in the second half. He only tried one shot.
Much of this came from the aforementioned floor-spacing points. You can’t cross the ball into the paint if there are 5 our bodies there.
Still, how many occasions have the Cavs soared to a large lead by driving the backs of their bigs, only to ignore them down the stretch?
I do not get paid to remedy the downside… but I can confidently say the Cavs need to determine this out!
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Grade: D+
Evan Mobley
18 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 helps
I could repeat virtually everything I said about Allen here.
Mobley was unbelievable in the first half, significantly in the second quarter when his outside shot made it really feel pointless for the Sixers to even attempt.
But those outcomes were diminishing, and Mobley struggled to hit perimeter pictures and create a bucket when given a runway. I’m putting this more on Mobley than anyone else. He has to discover a means to keep away from eventualities like this if the Cavs are going to be taken as critical threats.
Grade: F
James Harden
16 factors, 3 rebounds, 5 helps, 6 turnovers
Harden was enjoying fast and unfastened for most of the night time. There was a sequence in the first half where he turned it over on consecutive possessions, topping it off with an airball on the third.
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He was far from their largest downside. In reality, his shot-making gave them a preventing likelihood in the last minutes. But still, your start line guard can’t have more turnovers than made subject targets if you need to win a recreation.
Grade: D+
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