The Cleveland Cavaliers recorded a cavalanche for the ages when they reached a 11 three -point franchise record in the second quarter. However, in a way, this game was in danger on the section. Thank the basketball gods for Donovan Mitchell.
The notes are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
30 points (10-21 shot), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 flight
The Cavs can thank Mitchell for this one. Once Miami rallied to shoot a single figure, Mitchell went to hell to overcome the heat. Mitchell buried Dagger after Dagger, marking more than half of his points in the last quarter of the match.
Mitchell’s dynamic notation has always raised the Cavs. It is a legitimate offensive superstar that can carry them when things become difficult. His seven three points put the Cavs in a position to conclude the agreement even after having wasted a big lead.
Grade: A +
Ty Jerome
6 points (2-8 shots), 3 rebounds, 1 flight, 1 turnover
Jérôme was mainly in his first eliminatory match. His second? Not so much.
Miami was aggressive in the limitation of Jerome’s attempts. They invaded him on the ball and surprised him with a handful of traps that led to a crucial turnover in the fourth quarter. Jerome was not as effective or powerful as a marker in this game.
That said, Jerome dropped a penny of the half-cun which justifies at least a marginal boost to his note.
Grade: C-
Darius Garland
21 points (6-14 shooting), 9 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover
Garland opened this game on a radiator. He sparked a race behind his shot after Cleveland started slowly. Its early production in the first half was a huge reason why the Cavs built a cushion.
The heat made sure to target Garland as much as possible in defense. He has more than held in match 1. Tonight was less successful. Miami continued to put points on the board by hunting Garland in 1 against 1. We will keep an eye on this as the playoffs continue.
Grade: B +
Jarrett Allen
9 points (3-5 shot), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 flight, 1 block
Miami does not seem that they will give Allen a lot of daylight in this series. They stayed at home and kept Bam Adebayo or Kel’el Ware at any time to avoid giving easy opportunities to the big man.
Allen did not let that disturb him. He remained physical at both ends of the soil and plays a high level of energy. Allen does not set up crazy figures but he always has an impact. The Cavs clearly felt his absence whenever he or Mobley was not on the ground.
That said, Allen’s performance tonight was not as resounding as match 1.
Grade: B
Evan Mobley
20 points (7-10 shots), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 flight
Mobley was a little disappointing in match 1. He responded with a huge performance in the first three quarters of match 2 before disappearing from the offense in the quarter -closing. It is a frustrating trend that has existed since the regular season.
However, Mobley was great tonight. He buried three three points and had several sequences where he led to the basket for a dunk. We are still waiting to see a little more Mobley, but it was a step forward.
Grade: a-
Sam Merrill
6 points (2-4 shot), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 flight
Tyler Herro found himself several times against Merrill in this match. And for most of the night, Merrill even breaks. It is a victory for Cleveland.
His defense was not as impressive as match 1. Miami finally caught Merrill on a few switches this time. However, he holds up. This is enough to keep it on the ground.
Merrill did not free himself for a lot of three -point attempts in this series. He only tried eight in more than 40 minutes. This is partly because Miami makes sure not to leave it open. Its value as a floor spacer speaks of itself. But the Cavs would love to have it go at some point in this series.
Grade: B +
Max Strus
14 points (4-8 shot), 6 assists, 1 rebound, 2 interceptions
Strus hit 4 out of 8 three points attempts tonight. Its occasional explosions of deeply are always a good sign that the Cleveland offensive takes place gently. He did not carry his scoring in the second half, but Strus did Bring you to the free throw line at a critical time to give Cleveland two points.
The Cavs will however need Strus to take some rebounds. They were exceeded 49-39 and Strus added only one rebound to this battle.
Grade: B +
Isaac Okoro
3 points (1-2 shot), 1 rebound, 1 flight, 10 minutes
Okoro struck a three-point in this game. It is a sign of growth in the last match, when he went 0-4. Unfortunately, Okoro was not effective in raising Cleveland’s defense and his lack of offensive contributions was too much to keep it on the ground.
Grade: D-
Of’Andre Hunter
12 points (4-10 shots), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 23 minutes
Hunter scored the ball effectively in the first half. Its adjustment to Cleveland looks great when it drops three points like this. But the warts are still there. A wing of 6’8 ”should be able to take more than three rebounds in 23 minutes. He also fell asleep and left Davion Mitchell wide open to three during the late Miami.
There must be improved attention to details for Hunter to be the missing piece that Cleveland hopes to have found.
