Player Grades: Cavs at Bulls

Allen dominated in Chicago.

It was a slow start for various players but the Cleveland Cavaliers gradually ramped it up as the game went on to beat the Chicago Bulls 139-117.

Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

28 points (7-17 shooting), 7 rebounds, 5 assists

Mitchell has done a brilliant job of choosing his spots all season. He didn’t force the issue even when the Cavs fell down early tonight. He continued to probe and find openings for his teammates. And even with his three-point shot absent, he forced his way to the foul line 14 times to compensate. Mitchell’s steady approach added up to 28 points and eventually, a win.

Grade: A

Darius Garland

19 points (7-22 shooting), 7 assists, 3 rebounds

Garland was in a funk to start this game. His poor shooting from Sunday carried over into the first quarter and a half of this one. He began 1-12 from the floor before burying a pair of three-pointers at the break and ending the night on a high.

You’d like Garland to be more efficient. And for most of the season, he has been. but while this was an out-of-sorts shooting night — I’ll always appreciate DG unloading the clip and staying confident despite a cold spell. It paid off in the end with Garland drilling another pair of threes in the fourth quarter as the Cavs took control.

Grade: B+

Jarrett Allen

25 points (10-11 shooting), 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Allen was key to keeping the Cavs within striking distance when Chicago pulled away by 15 points early in the game. He mailed home a pair of hook shots from the middle of the floor and kept the Bulls fighting for opportunities in the paint even without Evan Mobley to watch his back. The Cavs’ defensive effort wasn’t great overall but Allen’s deterrance was a saving grace.

Then in the fourth quarter, Allen led a min-Cavalanche behind his defense, interior scoring and… playmaking? Allen scored or assisted on nine straight points to blow the game open. This was one of the best sequences of his entire career and it spurred a massive 32-8 run to end the night.

Grade: A+++

Max Strus

11 points (3-6 shooting), 5 assists, 3 rebounds

It’s hard to lose when Strus shoots the ball well. His three-point shooting gives the Cavs a cushion that puts everyone else in position to close the deal. Strus has been an all-around helpful player ever since joining Cleveland but he’s still most effective when he’s knocking down deep balls. Strus was a team-high +26 tonight.

Grade: A-

Javonte Green

11 points (4-5 shooting), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

Kenny Atkinson finally pushed the Green button when the Cavs began this game at a lackluster pace. We saw the immediate benefits of Green as he jumped off the bench, grabbed a rebound, and ran the full length of the floor to draw a foul.

Green isn’t an offensive spark like Jerome but he’s a bolt of electricity that can change a game with his defense. His activity on the glass and switchability make him a useful depth piece to turn to when the game isn’t going as planned.

This was Green’s first meaningful minutes as a Cavalier and they couldn’t have gone better. He turned this game on its head by running the floor and even knocking down multiple three-pointers in the fourth. If this continues, Atkinson will have another player who deserves consistent minutes.

Grade: A+

De’Andre Hunter

6 points (2-7 shooting), 5 rebounds, 1 block

Without Evan Mobley, De’Andre Hunter was inserted into the starting lineup once again. The defense suffered without Mobley but Hunter proved that even with some weaknesses, he’s a positional upgrade from what Cleveland previously had. His screen navigation and point-of-attack pressure aren’t elite but his size still made a difference throughout the game.

Hunter scored 32 points in his previous game. This time around, he shot 0-2 from deep and scored just 6 points. It happens to everyone, this wasn’t his night.

Grade: C

Ty Jerome

16 points (3-10 shooting), 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Jerome’s floater is one of the best in the league. Seriously. He carved Chicago’s defense at a pivotal moment of the game in the third quarter with numerous floaters that deflated an attempted rally. Even with a 3-10 shooting night, the pressure Jerome puts on a defense sent him to the free-throw line nine times.

There’s nothing new to talk about. Jerome is relentless with his attack and has continued to score in bunches any time the Cavs need him. He’s gaining momentum for Sixth Man of the Year and another strong performance like this will only further increase steam.

Grade: B

Sam Merrill

11 points (4-6 shooting), 2 rebounds, 2 blocks

Merrill hit some huge momentum shots in his previous game. Tonight, he replicated that. It wasn’t a ridiculous shooting performance but it’s what the Cavs are paying him for. Merrill’s timely shot-making is something few teams can find on their deep bench.

Also, two blocks for Merrill? That’s huge for a guy who had 13 career blocks entering the night.

Grade: A

Dean Wade

6 points (2-7 shooting), 4 rebounds, 1 block

Wade had a sequence in the first half where he put a lid on the basket for Chicago by contesting multiple attempts at the basket in the same possession. That’s why even when Wade struggles to shoot the ball — he’s too valuable to keep off the floor. His defensive versatility is one of the more underrated storylines of the season. This game wasn’t enough offensively to gloat but it’s another strong defensive performance from Wade.

Grade: B-

Isaac Okoro

4 points (2-4 shooting), 1 rebound, 1 assist

Okoro will rarely stuff the stat sheet. This game was no exception. He hardly put numbers on the board but still — this wasn’t last year’s Okoro. He was cutting to the hoop and creating in the short roll while handling the ball above the break on occasion. Okoro isn’t standing around waiting for the rock anymore. It hasn’t translated to a statistical leap but it sure feels a lot better to watch.

Grade: C+