Player Grades: Cavs at Jazz

It wasn't pretty, but the Cavs snapped their losing streak behind a balanced effort.

It wasn't a pretty sight shooting-wise, but the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped their season-worst four-game losing streak by beating the Utah Jazz 120-91. Jarrett Allen led the way with 18 points on 8-11 shooting, while Donovan Mitchell finished with 16 points on 5-13 shooting. Truthfully, the Cavs did not need their best effort against a tanking Jazz team that was without two of their best players.

Player grades are based on our expectations of each player.

Donovan Mitchell

16 points (5-13 shooting), 3 rebounds, 4 assists

The Cavs wound up winning a blowout, but it was not a dominant effort from Mitchell by any stretch. The superstar guard still looks off his game, misfiring on all five of his three-point attempts. However, he was in attack mode early to try and impose his will as a rim threat - and it worked.

Mitchell’s shooting is still missing, and that is problematic, but it wasn't needed against a very poor Utah squad that is just looking to end the season. That being said, this should not be considered a “good” game from Mitchell. But it is a positive one compared to the last few.

Grade: B

Jarrett Allen

18 points (8-11 shooting), 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Allen led the way with 18 points on pretty efficient shooting, but his impact was seen more on the defensive end. Despite the box score only showing one block and one steal, Allen held his primary matchup, Walker Kessler, to seven points on 3-11 shooting. Kessler is a load to deal with defensively in the paint (he did still end up with three blocks), and a viable threat on the interior offensively. Allen was having none of it, and put together one of his better efforts of late.

Grade: A-

Darius Garland

12 points (4-13 shooting), 7 rebounds, 4 assists

It was not a great night from Garland, as he put together his least efficient effort since March 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He finished with just 12 points on 30.8% shooting, but he did have the second-most rebounds on the team as well as two steals and a block. The 12 points are Garland’s fewest since February 21 against the New York Knicks, a game the Cavs won by 37 points.

But also, look at this passing. What a quick strike from Garland to find a streaking Max Strus. The Cavs had quite a few highlight-reel passes.

The important thing for Garland (and this goes for all of the starters), is that the minutes were kept low. It's the small things at this point in the season.

Grade: C

Evan Mobley

11 points (4-10 shooting) 11 rebounds, 1 assist

Mobley logged his third-straight double-double (also the 100th of his career), but it was not a dominant effort from the All-Star big. Compared to more efficient games against the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, the latter being a 31-point outburst, tonight’s showing was more about the defensive end. Mobley finished with three blocks and had the Jazz avoiding going at him.

It was good to continue seeing Mobley be unwavering when going up against other bigs. He had a nice and-one against Kessler in the third quarter when the Cavs were going on a 15-0 run out of halftime. He contorted his body and got the layup to fall in a way that most bigs cannot do.

Grade: B

Max Strus

7 points (3-6 shooting), 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Strus played just 18 minutes and put together an average game as a result. As was the case with most of the Cavs’ players tonight, they did not need their best efforts to secure a win. Strus continues to be a fine connector with the core four, though his four points were his lowest since March 7 against the Charlotte Hornets.

When it comes to energy, bodying up opposing players, and making smart cuts on offense, Strus presents as a valuable contributor. He showed that in a limited amount of time tonight.

Grade: C+

Sam Merrill

6 points (2-9 shooting), 5 rebounds, 5 assists

Once again, Merrill continues to help the team win in ways outside of his usual three-point shooting. He led the team with five assists, but his just two of his nine three-point attempts. The shooting has been missing now for five consecutive games, and thankfully the Cavs didn’t need it tonight. Merrill played the role of multi-tooled guard, something he has surprisingly done more times than expected this season.

Merrill led the bench with 24 minutes, something that may have been a byproduct of the starters getting extra rest. He is showing that even without the shooting stroke going, he has some utility. It's unclear if that fits in a playoff setting, but it did here.

Grade: B-

De’Andre Hunter

15 points (5-10 shooting), 6 rebounds

Hunter had a decent game and led the bench with 15 points, continuing his string of viable games. His six rebounds, against one of the better rebounding teams in the league, was a sneaky positive sign for a player that does not have a reputation of being very good on the glass. Hunter’s six rebounds were his highest since earlier in the month, and something that would serve well if it continued into the playoffs.

Grade: B+

Ty Jerome

12 points (4-6 shooting), 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Another balanced effort from the Sixth-Man of the Year candidate, including hitting three of his four three-point attempts. Jerome paced the offense when he was out on the floor and appears to be back in his usual groove after a string of careless games. He didn’t turn the ball over and appeared back in control.

Grade: B

Isaac Okoro

6 points (1-4 shooting), 1 steal

Okoro’s 19 minutes of action were the most he has logged since March 14, and it was good to see him get some run. Something of note, in addition to his stout defense, is that Okoro got to the free-throw line twice on Sunday, a rarity for him. Usually, he is stapled to the corner and prepared for a kick-out pass. His four free throw attempts are the most he has had in a game since...October 26.

Grade: C+

Dean Wade

5 points (2-5 shooting), 4 rebounds, 1 assist

It has been quite some time since Wade has had a truly impactful game (his 12 points and seven boards in Sacramento were good, too), but that is a testament to the Cavs’ depth on the bench. Wade logged 17 minutes and hit one of his four three-point attempts and nabbed four rebounds in the process. His knee injury is a thing of the past, but the Cavs’ addition of Hunter has lessened the need for Wade to log heavy minutes.

Grade: C+