Player Grades: Cavs vs Raptors Game 1 -Donovan Mitchell starts with a bang

James Harden

*22 points, 10 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals* While Mitchell’s game was flash and fire, Harden took a more methodical approach. He carved the Raps up in the halfcourt, orchestrating the pick-and-roll to perfection and making sure the Cavalier offense never faltered. We should all be familiar with his shot creation by now, but I don’t plan on getting tired of it any time soon. ***Grade:* A+**

**Evan Mobley**

1*7 points, *7 rebounds**, *4 assists* Mobley played this game like someone ready to make a statement on the big stage. He was aggressive, attacking mismatches whenever they were offered to him. This offense will never cater to Mobley’s self-creation, but he can still be a massively impactful scorer due to his abilities as a play finisher. To that, he was excellent today. ***Grade:* A**

Jarrett Allen

*10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal* Allen opened this game with a fresh pair of shoes and three thunderous dunks. How’s that for a start? The Cavs bigs understand what’s at stake this postseason. They’ve been labeled soft for years by their detractors. Only a strong showing in the playoffs can dispel that narrative once and for all. Both Mobley and Allen looked eager to get started on that. The box score doesn’t tell the full story. Allen was a huge presence on both sides of the floor. ***Grade:* B+**

Dean Wade

*5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals* Wade airballed his first three-point attempt, then looked hesitant to shoot again. Once he finally did, it was a clean jumper from the corner during the fourth quarter. The Cavs’ offense flowed seamlessly regardless of Wade’s hesitancy, and the value he brings as their only true wing defender is irreplaceable. Wade finished as a plus 20 in 22 minutes. ***Grade:* B+**

Max Strus

*24 points, 3 rebounds* Strus looked spry in this one. He was quick off his feet, attacking a closeout early in the first half for a tough finish at the rim and then later doing the same thing all over again. He’s always had a knack for showing up in big moments, and today was no different. ***Grade:* A+**

Keon Ellis

*3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal* Ellis’ only bucket came on a potential four-point play as he was knocked down while shooting a three-pointer. He missed the free throw and didn’t score the rest of the day. His defense was positive, though limited against Toronto’s length. ***Grade:* C-**

Jaylon Tyson

*2 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 fouls* Tyson picked up three fouls in his first stint on the court. That’s not the way he wanted his playoff career to begin. However, I can’t fault him for trying to set the tone by being overly physical on defense. That’s something that usually turns into a positive in the playoffs. ***Grade:* F**

Sam Merrill

*7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists* Merrill started the game 0-3 from the field and wasn’t able to hit either of his three-point attempts. The Cavs will hope that changes as the series goes on. Otherwise, Merrill held his own on defense and contributed on the boards to save his grade. Of course, his gravity on offense has value on its own. ***Grade:* C+**

Dennis Schroder

*2 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound* I’m sure that Schroder is capable of having a better game than this. He’s someone I’d expect could swing a playoff game at one point throughout this run if his scoring, playmaking, and scrappy defense ever hit at the same time. That didn’t happen today. ***Grade:* D+**