Player Grades: Cavs vs. Bulls

Mitchell had a strong first half and Garland slammed the door shut to help the Cavs stay unbeaten.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant ways with a 119-113 road win against the Chicago Bulls. Paced by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavs imposed their will late to stay unbeaten on the season at an impressive 12-0.

Each player’s grades are based on our expectations for them.

Donovan Mitchell

36 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 36 minutes

It was a standout performance for Mitchell, who had a scorching first half to help give the Cavs a slim one-point lead. The 36 points and eight rebounds are both season-highs for the superstar guard, who also added four steals and knocked down seven threes. It was a quintessential performance for Mitchell, and one that the Cavs have surprisingly not needed much this season – and yet remain 12-0.

Grade: A

Evan Mobley

15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 31 minutes

Another double-double for Mobley is nothing to scoff at, which is why his grade remains positive, but it wasn’t as dominant of a performance as some of the previous games. This was the first game Mobley didn’t record a block or steal since Nov. 2, though he did finish with a plus/minus of +11.

Grade: B

Darius Garland

17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 29 minutes

The freshly minted Eastern Conference Player of the Week may not have the high counting stats, but he showed up at the end of the game when the Cavs needed a closer. Garland’s nifty crossover and layup with 24 seconds left iced the game for the Cavs. Another bright spot: Garland had four steals, a season-high, giving him eight in his last three games.

Grade: B+

Jarrett Allen

9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 26 minutes

It was another mediocre game for Allen, who looked a little gimpy late in the contest with what appeared to be a leg ailment. Regardless of his health status, Allen finished with a team-worst plus/minus of -23 and failed to register double-digit points or rebounds for the second game in a row. It was disappointing to see Allen not take advantage of a poor Bulls interior defense.

Grade: C-

Isaac Okoro

3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 18 minutes

Okoro got the start once again despite Dean Wade being healthy, and the young forward was unable to get much going. His excellent defense doesn’t show up on the stat sheet and with Mitchell cooking in the first half, there was no need to get Okoro looks on offense. But there’s a reason he only received 18 minutes: others were playing better.

Grade: C

Caris LeVert

12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 24 minutes

The bonafide sixth-man was once again solid, scoring 12 points on 3-7 shooting including 2-4 from beyond the three-point line. LeVert has made a case this season as one of the more sure-handed players off the bench, something he has not been for the majority of his career in Cleveland.

Grade: B

Ty Jerome

12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 21 minutes

Jerome has been excellent all season, and he was once again critical for the Cavs tonight as well. Jerome’s efficient offense, excellent passing, and three steals all played a huge role in getting the Cavs on track in the third quarter. He spearheaded a bench unit that turned a nine-point second-half deficit into a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Grade: B+

Dean Wade

3 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 18 minutes

After being moved to the bench, Wade is still searching for some semblance of shooting form. But he is still the active wing that the Cavs need, exemplified by two blocks. Wade isn’t flashy, but he is effective.

Grade B-

Sam Merrill

0 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists

Still an up-and-down shooting season so far for Sam Merrill, who was 0-5 from the floor. Merrill had some open looks but was unable to connect on any of his three-point looks.

Grade: C-

Georges Niang

12 points, 5 rebounds, 16 minutes

How about Georges Niang? His season-high 12 points were vital to the Cavs, and he finished as a +15 on the evening in just 16 minutes. When he’s bad, it’s bad, but there is still utility for Niang out there on the floor. He showed that tonight.

Grade B-