The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t put their best foot forward to start this game. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
LOSER- Coming Out Flat
Second night of a back-to-back. Numerous key players are down due to injury. Random, meaningless game in March. I understand all of the context.
That still doesn’t mean it’s okay for the Cavs to come out as flat as they did tonight.
Miami built an early 20-point lead after pouncing all over Cleveland’s poor effort. Some of the Cavaliers’ offensive concerns can be excused due to simply missing shots (they shot 3-15 from three in the first half). But their defensive integrity was nowhere to be found. That’s especially concerning, considering Kenny Atkinson previously called them out for their poor defense against the Magic just 24 hours ago.
It’s a combination of scheme and execution. The Cavs have always rotated early and dug deep into the paint to provide help on drives. But their timing and process on this strategy have been worse as of late. They are frequently over-committing and opening themselves up to three-point onslaughts. It’s worrying that even middling offenses like the Heat can impose their will on the Cavaliers so quickly to start a game.
The Cavs proved they can ‘flip a switch’ once the second half began. The comeback was as electric as anything. With that said, I can’t blame any of the hometown fans who booed their team during the first half. That was a bad effort — and they dug themselves a hole that was ultimately too much to get out of.
WINNER – Donovan Mitchell’s Second Half Effort
Mitchell has a knack for getting the Cleveland crowd on its feet. This Cavalier team was being booed off the floor entering halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Mitchell had them in a full frenzy as his 13 points fueled a comeback and tied the game.
It was everything we’ve come to expect from Mitchell. Elite three-point shooting. Dazzling dribble moves. And a one-man heat check that brought his team (and the crowd) back to life. Mitchell hit three three-pointers in the third quarter, including back-to-back shots to swing the momentum all the way back into Cleveland’s favor.
As previously mentioned, Atkinson called out his team’s ‘compete level’ after their narrow win over Orlando. Specifically, he urged his two leaders (presumably Mitchell and James Harden) to respond. It took a full half for Mitchell to get the message, but by the end of the game, it was clear he took it to heart.
Mitchell opened the fourth quarter by diving for the ball and forcing a jumpball. That kind of scrappiness from a player who is currently on fire shooting the rock is the definition of leading by example. Mitchell’s energy sparked the run.
LOSER – Evan Mobley
Think of the things you don’t want to see from Evan Mobley. Indecisiveness. A lack of confidence. Probing aimlessly and taking shots that feel hopeless.
That’s what we saw tonight.
At one point in the first half, Mobley was working one-on-one against Bam Adebayo with the shot clock winding down. Mobley took a step-back dribble, and as he was gathering for the jumper, Bam visibly waved him off and turned around for the rebound. Mobley nearly airballed the shot.
It’s worth saying the Heat deployed a great defensive scheme. Their mixture of zone and double-coverage kept Mobley from finding an open space to operate. They sped him up and made him passive. That’s a credit to Miami.
“They mixed in a lot of zone,” said Kenny Aktinson after the game. “Those guys are tough; they’re a darn good defensive team. I think Evan’s next evolution is when they start swarming him, making those decisions.”
Later in the fourth quarter, Mobley had a deep-seal on Kel’el Ware. The Cavs dumped him the ball, and Mobley proceeded to get blocked at the rim. That sums up the night.
Every player has bad games. It’s worth noting that Mobley had been playing his best stretch of the season, and arguably one of the best of his career. But this type of performance is something we all wish we could forget.
