The Cavs spoiled Kawhi Leonard's return although he almost spoiled it himself checking out of the game within the first few minutes only to check back in shortly after. A game matching the 5th and 12th leading scorer eventually turned into the 5th leading scorer against Ivica Zubac, as the Cavs quieted James Harden and Leonard (11-29, 8 assists, 7 turnovers). For a change, the bench was a difference maker with 33 points compared to just 19 for the Clippers. The defense was also on point, posting a 110.5 dRTG.
By the Numbers
62.6%: The Cavs TS% which is their 4th best on the year; 66.7%/37.8%/65% splits will do that for you.
+1: Despite Zubac's huge rebounding night (18 rebounds), the Cavs won the rebounding battle
21: Second chance points by the Cavs despite the Clippers being a +4 on the offensive boards
9-0: The Cavs run to end the 1Q that really titled the game, and the Cavs never looked back
+16: The Mitchell-Tomlin-Wade-Mobley 4-man pairing in 8+ minutes, far-and-away the best 4-man group on the night
8-0: The Clippers start in the paint point advantage
44-40: The Clippers advantage the rest of the game
+24.7: Nae'Qwan Tomlin's net rating -- talk about a boost off the bench
37: Big Donovan Mitchell points including 12 in the 3Q
28.1%: Restricted area shot frequency without Garland on the floor (+8.1% net RA frequency)
110.4: Cavs dRTG, 7th best this year
30.8%: Cavs opponent 3P%, 4th best this year
4: 3PM by De'Andre Hunter. He now has 12 of his 30 3PMs on the year over last three games
By the Player
Darius Garland: It's a win in the standings but it's also a win that Garland didn't show any ill effects from his toe re-injury. His 8 assists (20 points created) led the team and his drives do damage that most folks outside of Mitchell can't quite do right now. The shot was off (3-10 FG) and the Clippers took advantage of him while on defense (-30.3 net dRTG) but the most important thing for Garland right now is health and building that consistency back up.
Donovan Mitchell: What more is there to say about the MVP candidate? 3rd in 3Q scoring, Mitchell put up 12 points at a time when the offense needed it and the Clippers made a run to cut it to a 1 point deficit. From there, Mitchell put up 6 six straight points and accounted for 14 of 15 points to end the quarter and push the Cavs lead back up to 13. Mitchell also helped balance the non-Garland minutes by attacking the paint more -- 5 of his 8 RA + paint FGA came with Garland off the floor as did a higher RA shot frequency as a whole. The Cavs will need more of that to sustain good offense.
Jaylon Tyson: Three fouls within his first six minutes of play sums up his night. He did finish a +7 on 50% shooting but it took him a while to kick it into gear. However, 5 points in back-to-back possessions in the 4Q highlights his growing ability to contribute meaningful stretches of play when the Cavs need it most from their role players.
De'Andre Hunter: Is someone starting to come around offensively? He's gone for 25, 20 and now 17 points over his last 3 games on 50% shooting from the field including 50% from three. Hunter's secondary scoring helped keep the offense somewhat a float as Garland was struggling and Mobley struggled with anything away from the rim. Speaking of Mobley: Hunter and Mobley seem to be developing a bit of a bond offensively. He had 3 assists to Mobley on the night and has 11 assists to Mobley on the year -- almost 25% of his assist total this year and almost double the next player (Mitchell, 6). The two own a +7.1 oRTG when on the floor together over 600+ minutes the last two years -- something to consider for later.
Evan Mobley: It was another rough start offensively for Mobley -- missed free throws (0-4 FT) and an airballed three (0-2 3PA). His average shot distance was 6', he took just three shots outside the paint (12 FGA) and 8 of his 9 FGM were assisted. If that doesn't tell you where his mindset is at right now offensively, then not much else will. Mobley is very much in his head, as evidence by the free-throw's and perimeter shot thart has vanished. He took some bumps to start the year and his confidence is shaken. It may take some time and good games to rebuild it but he's gone into his shell offensively and focused on shots around the rim and has been quick to kick out off of touches. On the flipside, he tied for a team best +26 and finished with a +49.1 net dRTG -- while his offense lagged his defense changed the game. 4 stocks and 7 defensive rebounds followed. Still, there are flashes.
Tyrese Proctor: Kenny Atkinson again referred to Proctor as a 1st Round pick they got in the 2nd Round. He scored 10 of his points off the bench in the 1H and was the leading scorer behind Mitchell. As the game got tighter, his minutes dwindled (also was a -7 in 4 3Q minutes). The offensive spark was a welcomed sight and may be needed if Craig Porter Jr's hamstring injury is serious.
Luke Travers: With the injuries on the wing and in the backcourt, Travers got some spot minutes. He was a +3 in almost 15 minutes with stocks and went 1-for-3 from the field -- doing his best Dean Wade impression. Travers was manageable on the floor, and did hit a spot-up three, which is really what you want at this point of time in his carer.
Dean Wade: The offense is still a slog (1-for-5 on 3's; 3-for-18 over his last 6 games) but games like this also show the value he can bring. Kenny continued to go small without Jarrett Allen that saw Wade be forced to matchup with Zubac on a few possessions. Otherwise, he was takes with helping slowdown James Harden and did well -- 0-for-3 from the field. However, Harden did get his in other ways with 4 FTA and 2 assists when matched up against Wade. But, Wade is still the Cavs best perimeter defender is and is particularly useful where his defensive discipline can frustrate foul baiters like Harden (and Brunson and SGA). If only the shot could come around...
Nae'Qwan Tomlin: He singlehandidly was a difference maker particularly in helping ignite the 9-0 run to end the 1Q. He finished a +12 for the game and finally put in a three-point make after starting the year 0-for-14. Kenny said after the game he appreciates his confidence and noted you can see it in his shot (even though his success has evaded him). His effort is his best skill right now whether it be on the boards, cutting, or running the floor. For a team that can be flat, his activity level is a gift.
Larry Nance Jr: A three-point make, finally! It what seems like has been forever, Nance put some good minutes on the floor. His first shift saw a good contest, a charge taken and the aforementioned three. Wade seems to have Kenny's trust right now behind Allen and Mobley, with Tomlin quickly emerging, but Nance can re-enter the conversation with a few good games. Like Mobley, a lot of his issues offensively seem to be Nance in his head too much (unless he's completely cooked but his touch has always been a strong suit and doesn't fade with athleticism). The Cavs still desperatley need a third big who can provide consistent minutes now and in the playoffs.
Game Notes
- Where art thou Thomas Bryant? In a game where Zubac was cleaning the glass and had as many offensive rebounds as misses (7), the Cavs could have used a change-of-pace with some size and activity without Jarrett Allen. Perhaps there's more than meets the eye, we may never know, but it's a bit confounding on games with teams that have size, and the Cavs don't have Allen, that Bryant isn't trotted out there. The only explanation that may make sense against the Clippers is the Cavs worried about Harden putting Bryant in constant P&R away from the bucket.
- Watch Hunter and Tyson defensive possession on Harden and Leonard, and then watch Wade. Harden, especially, is an expert at using defensive players movements against them. For Wade, he's an expert at not drawing first move and only reacting when absolutely forced to. For Hackie Chan, this is a lesson worth noting.
- The bench really made a difference -- both in scoring and energy. Missing as many key pieces as they did, and with Mobley and Garland having slow starts offensively, the game probably has a different look and feel without the bench providing their output. At half, they had 22 of the 59 points.
- Kenny loves his defensive wrinkles, especially with zone, and he put out a new-ish one against the Clippers: Mobley at the top of a 1-2-2/3-2 zone out of dead ball situations.
- While the Cavs offense is buoying with players in and out of the lineup, the defense seems to be settling in some. 5 of the Cavs 7 best dRTG games have come over the last 7 games now. The Cavs rank 7th in dRTG over those 7 games. There's still some things to be ironed out but it's trending in the right direction and continued against the Clippers. The 110.4 oRTG by the Clippers is the same fate they had against the Thunder earlier in the month.
- Zubac kept the Clippers in the game but it may have been a false hope. While Zubac was uber efficient and super productive, it also took the ball out of Harden's hands. Just like teams could live with LeBron going off for 50 points, so long as the others didn't get going, is a similar theory here. Without Harden's playmaking and scoring, the Clippers offense wasn't as potent and was primarily reliant on 2-pointers around the rim. Despite all the attention Zubac got, and the Cavs even doubling him late, he only had 4 assists.
- Speaking of Harden: The type of whistles he receives might be generational. The fact they only have to face him twice a year is a relief; same goes for Sengun and SGA.
- 44 of the Clippers 52 points in the paint came with Garland on the floor. Dribble penetration has been an issue for the Cavs defense, and perhaps Garland was protecting his toe some, but that number pops amongst all of the players who got minutes on the game.
- The Clippers are one of the oldest (average age over 30) and one of the slowest (29th in pace) in the league, and playing on the second night of a back-to-back showed. They played at a pace of 95 (below their season average) and were just 45th percentile in transition (against a team we know can be beat there).
Highlights & Box Score