On Monday, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a very poor performance against the Toronto Raptors, especially on the offensive end.
Shooting just 37.8 percent overall and 18.4 percent from 3-point range, they mustered only 88 points and lost by a dozen to Toronto.
It was a disappointing game, especially that the Cavs had won five of their previous six games.
However, there was one definite bright spot in the loss: the play of Evan Mobley.
Mobley Shined Bright In Canada
The development of Mobley, the third overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, is critical to Cleveland’s future and its present chances of playoff success.
He is averaging 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season while shooting 54.5 percent from the field, and against the Raptors, he put up 18 points while grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking two shots.
Evan Mobley throws down the hammer, and draws the foul! 🔨#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/ZQuH3ncTOg
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) November 29, 2022
Defensively, he made his presence felt.
I personally thought tonight was one of Evan Mobley’s best and most disruptive defensive performances of this season thus far. #DPOY
Here is why ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
(FYI: no commentary just a reel I put together lol) pic.twitter.com/zWaXP2XGzS
— SangxMobDPOYszn (@SangRockets) November 29, 2022
The night before in Detroit, Mobley shot 8-of-12 and made both of his 3-point attempts to score 20 points, to go along with 13 rebounds in the Cavs’ 102-94 win.
Unfortunately for them, they were several duds on Monday, but Isaac Okoro may have stood out the most.
Okoro Doesn’t Seem To Be The Answer At Small Forward
Coming into this year, some thought Okoro was the Cavs’ best bet as far as a 3-and-D small forward.
But he has struggled, shooting just 37.5 percent overall and 18.8 percent from 3-point range, and versus the Raptors, he was an icy 1-of-11 while missing all five of his attempts from downtown.
Positionally, the 3 is Cleveland’s one weakness, and while the team has several players who can play the position, none of them have exactly been impressive.
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