Cavs’ Loss to Orlando Leaves Room for Improvement

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