Player Grades: Cavs at Pelicans – Donovan Mitchell and James Harden avoid disaster
Harden and Mitchell lit it up in the fourth quarter.
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/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up an ugly win in New Orleans. These are the hardest games to grade, as the first three quarters put a heavy tarnish on an incredible comeback in the fourth. Please bear with me.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. Donovan Mitchell 27 points, 3 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 turnover Defense matters. With that in mind, both Mitchell and Harden are going to be severely docked for their performances tonight.
Sure, they put on their capes and saved the day in the fourth quarter. But lackluster defense and iffy offensive process through the first three quarters are what caused the trouble, in the first place. Mitchell scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-sealing and-one finish.