Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 136-106 hammer job of a road win over the Toronto Raptors to open the season on Wednesday. …
1. It’s safe to say the Kenny Atkinson era is off to a rousing start.
2. After sort of slogging through the first quarter and finding their footing, the Cavs really turned it on. The ball was moving, the shots started dropping and the defense was as staunch as we remembered it from last season.
3. The Cavs led 33-32 after 12 minutes. By the middle of the third quarter, they were up 28 and it was time to empty the bench. Atkinson didn’t do that — but he could’ve.
4. In summary, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert and the Cavs were simply dominant for the majority of the final three quarters. Everyone played so well that it’s hard to focus on just one guy.
5. And that’s sort of the idea behind this year’s Cavs.
6. But we’re going to start with Mobley, anyway. It wasn’t just that he scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, to go with eight rebounds and three blocks. It was how he did it.
7. Basically, Mobley just looked so comfortable, so sure of himself, so confident and so determined to dominate. The result was his best opener as a pro.
8. Mitchell went for 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting and LeVert was dynamite, scoring 19 in 21 minutes — burying his first eight shots. He missed the ninth, and even that was just barely, as it rolled around the rim and popped out.
9. But wait, there truly is more. Ty Jerome came off the bench for his first full game in Cavs uniform and scored 14 points on 6-of-7 from the floor. Both Jerome and starter Darius Garland (seven points, six assists) did a fantastic job of controlling the tempo, getting in the paint, and scoring or setting up teammates. Jerome also finished with six assists.
10. Granted, the Raptors were shorthanded and aren’t supposed to be all that good even when healthy. But winning an opener on the road in the NBA is often a tall, tall task. Especially in Toronto, where the crowd is relentless and physical play is the name of the game. After that first quarter, the Cavs didn’t flinch.
11. Mobley to FanDuel Sports Cleveland on the message sent: “We’re here. We’re ready to go very far this year. That’s the main focus.”
12. Dean Wade (five points, eight boards) started in place of the injured Max Strus and delivered some strong defense, tons of hustle and forced nothing. It really helps when guys understand their roles. Jarrett Allen added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, which means Allen is the same as he ever was.
13. Thirteen Cavaliers played in all and every last one of them scored. Along with LeVert, Georges Niang (11 points, 4-of-5 shooting) and Sam Merrill (seven points) were the first off the bench.
14. All offseason, fans asked what needed to happen for the Cavs to take the next steps. My answer was always the same — Mobley has to become more efficient offensively and the bench has to get it done on the road. There are 81 games left, yes. But both of those things happened in the first.
15. Meanwhile, it’s likely to be a tough year for our friends up north. The Raptors were already without the injured RJ Barrett, Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk — then lost Immanuel Quickley to a back contusion in the second quarter. You know it’s bound to be a long night when your leading scorers are Chris Boucher (18 points) and Gradey Dick (16).
16. The Cavaliers played with the same energy on defense, challenging nearly every shot and throwing Toronto into a tizzy near the basket. Raptors star Scottie Barnes was held to just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting.
17. Next up: You guessed it, the home opener. That takes place Friday against former coach J.B. Bickerstaff and his Detroit Pistons. They blew an eight-point lead at home against the Pacers to open the season, losing 115-109. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
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Hooray, Hooray, Hooray ! ! !
They currently have a GREAT START !
And so do you, Sam. Good to see the dribbles start with a W.
There are some great things to be excited about… Mobley, Allen, & Donovan’s
performances did excite to the fullest, but the guys coming off the bench,,,
Dynamite!
At the risk of sounding like “Debbie Downer” PLEASE note,,,, Most of the exciting parts were when Garland was…. yep, on the bench. Hoping this will be an anonamly…. but still not on board with him yet… Maybe it’s just a weird thing, but the stagnation was a little noticeable still when he was in & his chasing his man down the lane from two feet behind again on defense. I know, fouls.
When he went to the bench, Things picked up, but the 10pt lead in the second quarter went down to 4 when he came back in… got another foul, went OUT, & then things really went GREAT after that. Fabulous things happened on a team leveling the second, third & 4th quarters displaying significant talent.
I truly HOPE what I noted about, Darius though, is NOT a sign of the “brand new-same old thing”, because 1 game cannot be a “foul” indicator.
Overall GREAT team win!!! & hope it continues, without stagnation & turnover machine action this year. Sharing the ball, and off-ball movement was excellent; with the defense and the offensive shot selection with Mobley’s more aggressive approach were all Phenomenal too!