Every team has an additional incentive against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They want to be the team that strips them from their ongoing win streak. And with Donovan Mitchell not available, the Memphis Grizzlies found their prime opportunity. Yet what transpired was the Cavs leading by 20 points after three-quarters. It seemed as if they never even missed Mitchell.
However, within the organization, all players are aware of Spida’s significant value. “Donovan’s a big-time player for us and we miss him,” said Sam Merrill. But unlike most franchises, the Cavaliers don’t just rely on their franchise cornerstone. Mitchell is averaging his lowest scoring output since joining the Cavaliers. Yet, the team has never performed better.
That’s because with Donovan Mitchell or not, the 2016 NBA champions believe in their depth. “Just a lot of good players uh that trust in each other and uh understand the right way to play… When you have trust in other guys that are going to step up and play it um it makes makes life easier for everybody,” Merrill added.
Mar 14, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) pokes away the ball from Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (12) in the 2nd quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Smith-Imagn Images
De’Andre Hunter who joined the team at the deadline has felt the Cavs’ mentality in his short time with the team as well. “Don does a lot for us but you know you’re not going to make up what he does with just one player so you know it was a team effort tonight and I’m happy we come on the road and get that win,” he said after beating the Grizzlies.
Unlike their comeback win against the Nets, where Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen combined for the most points, tonight the Cavaliers had multiple standouts. No players scored over 22 points, they had seven players in double digits. That comes due to the trust that exists within the Cavaliers.
They aren’t necessarily trying to find their best player. The number one team in the NBA confides in trusting everybody on the floor, no matter their stats. As Mobley rightly said, “I feel like the team energy we bring, that camaraderie and that team aspect to the game, I feel that’s the biggest aspect of why we’re winning”.
The one man changing the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers might be the only top team where it’s hard to pick their best player. Yes, Donovan Mitchell is a distinguished superstar and a scoring machine. However, Garland is a silky scorer who makes key passes. Then there is Allen, who stabilizes the defense and makes interior scoring very difficult for the opposition.
However, if you ask the Cavaliers, the unsung hero is often Evan Mobley. A top candidate to win DPOY, the fourth-year forward is averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game. With his versatility, he is a looming threat at all times. But when he is determined to be aggressive, that’s when the Cavaliers are at reach their peak.
“When he’s confident and aggressive like that like he’s been basically all year like he just makes it really hard for us to guard or for teams to guard us,” Merrill said about the defensive anchor.
Evan Mobley’s development has truly been transformational for the Cavaliers this season. Defensively he is a disruptor. Standing at nearly seven feet, he can switch between guarding anybody. While contesting shots from 6 feet or less, he allows rivals to shoot 54.3%, one of the best marks for his volume. Additionally, when guarding the three, opponents shoot just 31% when guarded by Mobley.
However, his impact on the offensive end has become more and more significant each year. Notably, when without Donovan Mitchell, he becomes a terror. In six games without Spida, Evan Mobley is averaging 22.8 points while shooting a ravishing 52% from three! His hidden potential was exactly what the Cavs needed to advance.
And Kenny Atkinson has managed to cultivate a culture that brings the best out of everyone. If you don’t know it by now, take this in. The Clevland Cavaliers are going to be hard to tackle in the postseason because of their multi-threat offense. Defensively, they are as sound as any team thriving off high energy and intelligence.
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