Dribbles: Cavs Ride Evan Mobley’s Super, Duper Showing To Buzz By Pesky Hornets

December 7, 2024

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 116-102 road win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon. …

1. It wasn’t the prettiest of days for the Cavaliers. But man, it was sure a thing of beauty from Evan Mobley.

2. Mobley made each of his first five 3-pointers as the Cavs built a 40-18 lead after the first quarter. Then they got incredibly sloppy. With 4:05 left in the game, the lead was just four.

3. But then came a couple of Mobley baskets — including another three to put the game away. Yes, it was the 7-footer who was dynamic from behind the arc, finishing 6-of-8 on threes on his way to a career-high 41 points.

4. His development and confidence in the area of long-range shooting cannot be overstated. It’s just meant so much to these Cavs (21-3), who own the league’s best record for a reason.

5. That reason? Because new coach Kenny Atkinson has turned everyone into a weapon. Atkinson was at least partially hired to get Mobley’s offensive game to another level. Well, it sure was through the basketball stratosphere on Saturday.

6. Now, again, this wasn’t necessarily a banner showing from the Cavs. Charlotte tried to muck up the game after that first quarter and had plenty of success.

7. It’s only human nature to let up a little when you lead by 22 after 12 minutes. That was the Cavs. Combine that with the Hornets’ scrappiness, and suddenly, this got frustratingly close.

8. So frustrating, in fact, that the Cavs delivered their first multi-technical game of the season. Atkinson got one. Georges Niang got another. And Darius Garland joined the party, too. Let there be no doubt, the officiating was incredibly questionable.

9. Either way, the Hornets (6-17) annoyed everyone but the home crowd with their refusal to die. They scrapped, grabbed and fought, and did so without two key starters (LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges).

10. They had every reason to fold and didn’t. But they just couldn’t match the juggernaut that is the Cavs. The Hornets did, however, get the Cavs away from who they are for long stretches.

11. Garland and Donovan Mitchell each added 18 points, with Mitchell tacking on eight assists. He took just six shots through three quarters. But he delivered when it mattered. Garland struggled on threes, but overall, continued to play like a champ.

12. Atkinson to reporters on Mobley: “I just love how aggressive he was behind the 3-point line. He even took a bad one or two, but it was like, ‘Go ahead.’ I see the behind-the-scenes stuff. … He’s one of these guys who’s in that category of desperate to get better.”

13. What has Atkinson seen from Mobley behind the scenes? “Humilty? He’s so humble and works so hard. Thrilled with his performance. And he doesn’t slack off at the defensive end.”

14. Along with that, Atkinson said he believes “Mobley is just starting to scratch the surface.” Mobley also recorded 10 rebounds and three big blocks.

15. Jarrett Allen added 11 points and collected 10 boards himself, again providing resistance near the rim. That’s all the good news — but frankly, the bench wasn’t very good. The Cavaliers reserves had a chance to put the game away and couldn’t do it.

16. Sam Merrill (six points) is really, really struggling with his shot. Like, really struggling. If he were to hit even half of what he normally makes, the Cavs would start blowing some of these games open. Not sure what’s going on there — but he’ll get it figured out. He always does.

17. Of course, that’s nitpicking. But it does go to show that the Cavs have the best record in the NBA, and could still get even better.

18. Super second-year man Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 25 points. As Brad Daugherty said on the FanDuel Sports Network broadcast, Charlotte could be a problem once it gets all its pieces back. If that ever finally happens.

18. Overall, a win is a win is a win. The Cavs didn’t look great — but still finished with a 14-point advantage. Mobley is a major reason why, and what he showed here offers yet another reason to get excited about this team.