The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 4-3 and advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
All ratings are based on our usual expectations for each player.
David Mitchell
22 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers
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This was not a excellent Mitchell’s game, per se. We’ve seen him play much better than this. But compared to his recent performances, this felt huge. Mitchell conceded more than he did, despite starting the game 6-16 from the floor. The Cavs made better use of the space around them, cutting the line and hitting the offensive glass.
If you can’t free Mitchell, you can at least use the defensive attention he’s getting to your advantage elsewhere. The Cavs did that and Mitchell leaned more toward it than in previous games.
Qualification: C+
James Harden
18 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers
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Harden took care of the ball and had the fewest turnovers in a game in this series. That’s impressive for a player who has struggled in elimination games in the past. Harden, like Mitchell, didn’t get his chance tonight. He was just 1-5 from deep and 3-9 from the floor. But he went the extra mile to take on Toronto’s defense and forced them to rotate enough to keep the offense running smoothly.
Then on defense, Harden had his occasional lapses, but he also came up huge for three steals that looked energizing.
He, of course, also kept the big boys involved. That’s half the reason you traded for him.
Qualification: b
Evan Mobley
13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers
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Mobley was a beast in games 5 and 6. His increased aggression and clutch performances were everything you expected to see from him. I wouldn’t say there were many changes to his approach tonight, just that his strike partner stole the show.
This should be a graduating moment for Mobley. He responded to a losing streak on the road by reciting three of the most impactful and successful games of his playoff career. If he follows through with this, the Cavs will be in serious business.
Qualification: b
Jarrett Allen
22 points, 19 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks
I don’t think anything I write does justice to the kind of night Jarrett Allen just had.
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“Man, it really put us over the top,” Kenny Atkinson said. “The best I’ve ever seen him.”
The Fro gave an absolute clinic in the toughness of the playoffs. He pounded Toronto’s frontcourt, hitting them off the glass for 19 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Each rebound feels bigger than the last when playing a Game 7 on your own court. Allen hit a deadly combination and ended the Raptors’ season with his efforts to run the rim.
Qualification: A+++
Dean Wade
5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Wade returned to the starting lineup tonight and it immediately seemed like the Cavs had made the wrong decision. His indecisiveness on offense can make it difficult to keep him on the court. Especially against an aggressive team like the Raptors.
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But Wade’s defense more than made up for that in this series. And even though this was his worst offensive game of the series, his minutes still felt impactful.
Qualification: C+
max strus
12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Strus shot only 2-8 from downtown, but tonight it was a team-high plus 20. I don’t think that’s a mistake. He had one of his best games of the series, providing all the intangibles you need to pull off a win in Game 7. His intensity as an on-ball defender was a bright spot and something we hadn’t seen from him yet in this year’s playoffs.
Qualification: B+
Jaylon Tyson
7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
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Tyson’s composure in his first Game 7 was outstanding. The young wing had never feared the moment before, so I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The Cavs used Tyson on the short play to unlock their offense and punish Toronto for hogging the ball. His decision-making in the last two games showed that Tyson’s versatility can carry over into the playoffs. The lights will only get brighter, but Tyson seems ready for that pressure.
Qualification: B+
Sam Merrill
13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Merrill’s score kept the Cavs from falling too far behind in the first half. His quick shooting from deep was a vital safety valve for Cleveland against an athletic Raptors defense.
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Qualification: TO-
Dennis Schröder
2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
The acquisition of Schroder in Game 5 was the anomaly of this series. Still, the additional ball handling it provides took pressure off of Mitchell and Harden and widened their margin for error. That was helpful, although Schroder shot just 1-7 from the field.
Qualification: d