The Cleveland Cavaliers entered Monday night’s matchup with optimism to turn things around. In light of James Harden’s confidence despite being down 3-0 and Kenny Atkinson’s comments, the Cavaliers appeared to be in good spirits. Unfortunately, this didn’t reflect how brutally outmatched they were.
The New York Knicks completed the sweep against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 130-93 victory in Game 4. After being outscored 38-26 in the first quarter, the Cavaliers still showed some promise. However, a 30-22 difference in the second quarter asserted that Cleveland made no effort to fight back.
Despite Donovan Mitchell‘s best efforts, the superstar’s individual heroics weren’t enough to compensate for the limited production from the rest of the roster. With poor performances across the board, we look at the ratings of each player who stepped on the court for Game 4.
Donovan Mitchell: A
Game Stats: 31 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 4 TOV, 1 STL, 9-18 FG, 5-9 3PT FG, 8-10 FT, 32 MIN
Donovan Mitchell appeared to be the only Cavaliers player who showed up in Game 4. Having asserted himself as their primary option on offense, Mitchell dutifully played out his role, delivering with a solid scoring performance.
There is virtually nothing that can be said to fault Mitchell’s display outside of his four turnovers. Considering that the team shot approximately 28% from beyond the arc, Mitchell’s 5-9 shooting from three-point range was the only bright spark in Cleveland’s offense.
Evan Mobley: B
Game Stats: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 3 TOV, 1 STL, 7-15 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 0-1 FT, 33 MIN
After a strong showing in Game 3, there were greater expectations for Evan Mobley to play a larger offensive role in Game 4. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Instead of picking up the slack from his teammates, Mobley seemingly regressed, posting only 15 points on the night.
Although he was largely efficient, shooting 7-15 from the field, his three-point shooting wasn’t very noteworthy. When also factoring in his struggles with guarding the paint, it can be argued that Mobley failed to be impactful on both ends of the floor.
Thomas Bryant: B
Game Stats: 10 PTS, 3 REB, 4-7 FG, 2-5 3PT FG, 9 MIN
Thomas Bryant’s appearance in Game 4 was more relevant than his Game 3 performance. Although he played under nine minutes left in the game, Bryant appeared to be more effective than most players on the Cavs’ roster.
In just nine minutes of action, Bryant posted 10 points and three rebounds on an efficient 4-7 shooting from the field. While his contributions were largely meaningless in the greater scheme of things, he was certainly noteworthy.
James Harden: C
Game Stats: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 5 TOV, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2-8 FG, 0-6 3PT FG, 8-9 FT, 33 MIN
James Harden is widely viewed as the most underwhelming playoff performer for the Cavaliers this year. While there were greater expectations for the veteran to contribute in this win-or-go-home situation, Harden effectively faded, leaving the Cavs’ offense in disarray.
Apart from his five turnovers for the game, Harden’s 0-6 shooting from beyond the arc demands specific attention. Given that a night like this only adds to his reputation as a poor playoff performer, Cleveland must take a good, hard look at its future with James Harden in the picture.
Jarrett Allen: C-
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 TOV, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 3-5 FG, 26 MIN
Jarrett Allen has been effective for the Cavaliers as a physical presence in the paint. While this was largely effective against the Detroit Pistons, Allen has routinely been outplayed by Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Game 4 was no different, as Allen failed to assert himself on the rebounding glass against the Knicks’ superstar. Although the Cavaliers’ big man fulfilled his role as a rim protector and defensive anchor, notching two blocks and two rebounds apiece, his performance on the night was largely unsatisfactory.
Keon Ellis: C-
Game Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 16 MIN
Keon Ellis checked into the game at a time when the Cavs still had an opportunity to turn things around. However, by the midway point in the second quarter, the Knicks’ lead had ballooned to 29 points, and all Ellis had done since stepping on the court was grab a defensive rebound and miss a three-point shot. After being subbed off in the second, he didn’t appear again until extended garbage time began in the fourth.
While Ellis showed promise as a 3-and-D wing, he fell far short of expectations in Game 4. With a box +/- rating of -20 (among the worst on the team), it is evident that Cleveland suffered when he was on the court.
Jaylon Tyson: C
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 TOV, 1 STL, 1-6 FG, 0-4 3PT FG, 16 MIN
Earlier in the regular season, Jaylon Tyson positioned himself as a reliable two-way option in the rotation. However, Tyson has been largely disappointing in the playoffs, and Game 4 of the ECF was no exception.
Although he had a brief burst of activity in the third quarter, in the overall scheme of things, Tyson was largely ineffective. In a must-win situation, Tyson, like most of the other Cavaliers players, failed to produce. Having shot 0-4 from beyond the arc, he couldn’t help Cleveland establish a shooting rhythm.
Sam Merrill: D
Game Stats: 5 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 TOV, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT FG, 18 MIN
Sam Merrill has typically been one of the more reliable perimeter threats on the Cavaliers’ roster. Although he shot 1-2 from three-point range, the fact that he only attempted two shots is rather disappointing. Given that he averaged 7.2 three-pointers attempted per game in the regular season, his hesitation to participate in the offense is quite troubling.
Max Strus: D
Game Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 TOV, 2-6 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 22 MIN
Max Strus came off a solid 13-point outing in Game 3, a positive sign for the Cavaliers, considering that he hadn’t found his groove all series long. Sadly, this optimism was crushed as Strus found himself slumping in Game 4 again.
Since returning from injury, Strus has had a tough time getting back into the swing of things. Although he made a mark defensively, his inability to contribute on offense undoubtedly harmed the Cavaliers’ chances in the playoffs.
Dean Wade: D-
Game Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 12 MIN
Dean Wade has typically provided solid floor spacing for the Cavaliers this season. During Game 4, however, Wade was no different from the rest of the roster, as he also struggled to get going on offense.
Having played only 12 minutes, there was very little scope for the forward to have an impact on the game. Thus, even though his two steals and one block were notable, the fact that he ended the game with a -14 rating reveals how little of an impact he had.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin: D-
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1-2 FG, 7 MIN
Nae’Qwan Tomlin only checked into the game in the fourth quarter. Although he earned more playing time than in the previous game and did more during that time, it wasn’t necessarily meaningful.
Craig Porter Jr.: D-
Game Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST, 3 TOV, 9 MIN
Like Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr. also checked into the game late in the fourth quarter for extended garbage time. While he looked impressive after dishing out three assists, logging three turnovers in such a short span of time is equally concerning.
Tyrese Proctor: D-
Game Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 TOV, 0-2 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 9 MIN
Tyrese Proctor barely played in Game 4, logging just under nine minutes on the night. Having failed to score from beyond the arc, Proctor followed suit with the rest of the Cavaliers.
