The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their second loss in recent memory, and it’s clear that the team needs to work on its efficiency on both ends of the court. In a game where expectations were high, players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen struggled with turnovers and poor shooting.
Mitchell, who returned from a two-game absence due to a groin injury, was aggressive but couldn’t find his rhythm at times, resulting in three turnovers and pull-up shot attempts. His performance earned him a grade of D+. Garland also had a tough night, finishing with more turnovers than assists and struggling to establish a rhythm on offense.
On the other hand, Allen was the standout player for Cleveland, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds despite the team’s three-point shooting woes. He opened the game by repeatedly attacking the rim, but eventually struggled as Orlando packed the paint around him.
Max Strus had a strong performance, playing well elsewhere but struggling with his shot at times. Sam Merrill, on the other hand, was held back by missed shots and turnovers, earning an F grade. Dean Wade showed promise from deep but passed on open shooting opportunities, while Isaac Okoro struggled in a tough matchup.
De’Andre Hunter took his first loss as a Cavalier but still proved himself with strong defense against Paolo Banchero. Ty Jerome had a rare bad game, coughing up the ball multiple times in the third quarter to concede momentum. Tristan Thompson was fine despite being on a limited role, holding his own on defense.
Overall, while there’s reason for optimism, the Cavs need to work on their efficiency and decision-making if they want to avoid losses like this in the future.
Source: https://www.fearthesword.com/2025/3/16/24387108/player-grades-cavs-vs-magic-streak-snaps-after-hard-fought-loss