Player Grades: Cavs at Hornets

Hunter continues to show why he was brought to Cleveland.

Playing three games in four nights is difficult, but that doesn’t entirely excuse the Cleveland Cavaliers' poor performance. Their effort level shouldn’t have led to a win. Fortunately for them, they were playing the 14-win Charlotte Hornets.

Cleveland escaped with a narrow 118-117 victory. That extends their winning streak to 13 games.

Grades are based on our expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

24 points (6-19 shooting), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers

Mitchell had an up-and-down outing. On one hand, the Cavaliers desperately needed the energy and scoring punch he provided. The offense was stuck in the mud all night. His ability to continually force the issue and get to the foul line was much needed.

At the same time, his six missed free throws (12-18 from the line) nearly cost the Cavs. This included two straight in the closing moments that gave Miles Bridges a chance to win the game.

On top of that, this was only a close game after De’Andre Hunter’s put-back layup with 43 seconds left because Mitchell couldn’t corral a defensive rebound after a Nick Smith Jr. miss. This led to a Bridges three to make it a one-point game. He doesn’t have a chance to miss those clutch free throws if he comes up with that rebound.

Grade: C-

Darius Garland

20 points (4-10 shooting), 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal

Garland had an odd game. He came out of the gates hot, hitting two threes early on. It felt like he was going to have a special night after that moment, but it never materialized. Foul trouble got in the way and Garland wasn’t the dynamic scorer this team needed.

The ball seemed to stick for most of the night. That isn’t something we’ve said about this team often. Charlotte’s constant fouling led to that feeling, but Garland not being able to set up teammates or create off the dribble is part of that as well. This is reflected in his and the team’s low assist totals (16).

Grade: C

Evan Mobley

19 points (6-13 shooting), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks

This wasn’t a great Mobley game. Charlotte was missing starting center Mark Williams and was forced to play Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate inside. Mobley and Jarrett Allen should’ve feasted on this frontcourt offensively but weren’t able to do so to the degree expected.

That said, Mobley’s late shot clock fourth-quarter three that tied the game with two minutes left changed everything.

He was 0-4 from beyond the arc until that point, but that didn’t deter him from taking that three. This is the level of growth and confidence you want to see from Mobley.

Grade: B+

Jarrett Allen

14 points (4-10 shooting), 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 block

It felt like Allen and Mobley could’ve done more inside offensively. That said, Allen was a force to be reckoned with defensively and on the glass.

Allen’s five steals and one block were huge. His defensive impact allowed Kenny Atkinson to close with an imposing frontcourt of him, Mobley, and Hunter. The pressure that Allen had on the rim as an offensive rebounder allowed Hunter to get the rebound and putback that sealed the game.

Grade: B+

Max Strus

3 points (0-3 shooting), 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Strus struggled to make a positive impact on Friday. He couldn’t find his shot and felt like a non-factor when he was on the court. This led to him playing just under two minutes in the fourth quarter.

Grade: D+

De’Andre Hunter

15 points (4-6 shooting), 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Hunter continues to be exactly what this team needs, especially late in games. That proved to be true once again as he made a putback layup to give Cleveland a lead with 43 seconds left. Hunter followed that up by forcing a turnover on Bridges on the ensuing possession.

The Cavs don’t win this game without those clutch plays,

Hunter’s versatility stands out late in games. He’s spent the last several contests closing as the power forward alongside Mobley. On Friday, his ability to play the three allowed the Cavs to close with both Allen and Mobley as well. Their frontcourt length proved to be overwhelming.

The optionality that Hunter can bring remains his best asset. Well, that and being a flat-out good, well-rounded scorer.

Grade: A

Ty Jerome

6 points (2-4 shooting), 5 rebounds, 3 assists

It’s not often we say that Jerome is a non-factor. Even in his bad games, he’s still noticeable in his activity. That wasn’t so on Friday.

Grade: C-

Sam Merrill

12 points (4-4 shooting), 1 rebound

The Cavs needed a scoring punch off the bench, and Merrill provided that. He hit all four of his triples to help kick-start a struggling offense.

Merrill had a tough time finding his shot at the start of the season, but he’s turned it around of late. He’s connecting on 42.9% of his triples in his nine appearances since the All-Star break.

That’s a good sign for him and the Cavs.

Grade: A

Dean Wade

0 points (0-3 shooting), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 11 minutes

Wade has struggled to find an offensive rhythm since returning from injury. That happened again as he was hesitant to pull from deep when he had openings.

This seemed to bleed over into the defensive side of the ball where he was caught out of place more times than we usually expect.

This wasn’t his best showing.

Grade: D+

Isaac Okoro

5 points (2-4 shooting), 2 rebounds

Like Wade, Okoro has struggled to make his usual impact since he’s returned from injury. Having his minutes cut to accommodate Hunter probably doesn’t help.

Grade: C