Player Ratings: Cavs vs. Raptors – Ty Jerome is unstoppable

The Cleveland Cavaliers played nearly perfect for 48 minutes as they sent the Toronto Raptors home for their 17th win of the season.

Grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

26 points (10-18 shots), 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Mitchell was in coastal mode for three quarters. He was primarily used as a decoy when the Raptors were overloaded, preventing him from establishing an offensive rhythm. Mitchell kept his cool and waited until the final third to make his presence known.

It was seven straight points from Mitchell early in the fourth quarter that tied this game. The Cavs defense rallied around his scoring drive to secure a stress-free victory.

Grade: A

Ty Jerome

26 points (9-14 shots), 6 assists, 4 steals

Jerome is burning to start the season. His unlimited range has made him a nightly hero, and tonight was no different as he scored 26+ points for the second straight year, having previously never scored more than 24 in a game in his entire career.

Jerome has found a home in Cleveland. He destroys second units with his shots and plays. Most impressively, his active, hands-on defense makes him a constant threat to opposing ballplayers. Jerome’s four steals were huge in this win.

Grade: A+

Evan Mobley

14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Mobley took the Scottie Barnes duel personally. He denied it repeatedly in their first meeting of the season and tonight Mobley once again had Barnes underwater until the final minute. It was another fantastic defensive game in a season where Mobley’s offense turned heads. Don’t take it for granted.

Grade: A

Darius Garland

16 points (6-14 shots), 6 assists, 3 rebounds

If the entire starting eleven works like that, there are only so many options. Garland remained in the background for most of the evening, playing with himself and creating pieces for others. Nothing more was necessary. His ability to break down a defense and score against the drop remains a highlight of his season despite Garland’s recent struggles against Boston.

Grade: A-

Jarrett Allen

23 points (10-14 shots), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Do you want a monstrous defensive anchor that can run the floor and convert anything on the other end? If the answer is yes, then Allen would have made you proud tonight.

Allen’s role as an unsung hero is what makes Cleveland such a dominant team through 82 games. On any given night he can dominate both colors and make things a nightmare for his opponent. Allen was everywhere at the right time in this game.

Grade: A+

Isaac Okoro

10 points (4-4 shots), 6 rebounds, 4 assists

I mentioned that Mitchell’s scoring drive in the fourth quarter galvanized Cleveland’s defense. Okoro was the main engine of this run. He provided frenetic energy on the sidelines and stopped ball handlers by stopping them in their tracks or directing them into the two beasts in the field.

Okoro’s ball defense was always excellent. But in that game he also hit two three-pointers and had four assists. That’s everything you’d expect from Okoro when he’s in the starting lineup – he even grabs six rebounds.

Grade: A+

Sam Merrill

3 points (1-6 shots), 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Merrill had numerous open attempts that would have blown the roof of the arena if it had crashed. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t his night.

However, I can’t give Merrill a bad grade. His off-ball movement effectively kept the Raptors moving. He regularly made good cuts and used his gravity to generate three assists. Merrill also struggled defensively, making it difficult for Toronto to target him.

Grade: B-

Georges Niang

2 points (1-13 shooting), 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Yes… that was the only tough performance of the evening. Niang led the team in field goal attempts through three quarters. He had only scored one goal the entire time.

I can’t say that Niang pushed – or even that he missed by a wide margin. It was a good process game from Niang that just didn’t lead to anything tangible to feel good about. He had a good start to the year, but that wasn’t his best performance.

Grade: D