CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cade Cunningham was the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Evan Mobley went third.
The youngsters who carry the hopes of two reclamation-project franchises -- Detroit and Cleveland -- will be inextricably linked. They’re now Central Division rivals, set to play four times every season. Even though they man different positions, comparisons are inevitable.
Friday night was Round 1. It went to Mobley -- and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the two-win Pistons, 98-78.
“I thought we played the game to our identity, no matter who our opponent was,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said following the most lopsided victory of the season. “That’s growth for us. Then to see the next step to hold them to 11 points in the third quarter, that’s maturation. That’s who we have to continue to be as many nights as we possibly can. I think our guys showed their commitment to it.”
It’s too early to call Detroit’s draft-night choice a mistake. Making declarations based on a small sample size is always dangerous. But the Cavs couldn’t be more thrilled about how everything played out on July 29 -- the night Cleveland’s rebuild altered its course.
Mobley looks like a star.
He’s helped Cleveland create a unique tall-ball identity. He’s quickly become a defensive deterrent, anchoring that end of the floor alongside ascending center Jarrett Allen. Mobley’s also starting to form a gorgeous partnership with point guard Darius Garland, who set up Cleveland’s phenom for thunderous lobs multiple times Friday night.
“Starting to figure each other out,” Garland said. “I’m starting to figure out where he likes it. He’s starting to figure out where I like the ball, where I like to score, where I like to get other people involved. Just building that chemistry really. We’re starting to jell a little bit more. It’s starting to become fun.”
In the much-anticipated matchup of top-3 picks, Mobley finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist in 35 minutes. With Mobley on the court, Cleveland outscored Detroit by 29 points.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen it, to be honest with you, or been around it. That’s how rare it is,” Bickerstaff said of Mobley’s impact on winning. “Normally, young guys are so consumed with figuring the game out for themselves that they struggle to impact winning. I’m not getting ahead of myself here, but he’s shown these first games that’s the impact that he can have. Because one, his skill set, but two, his intent. He does not care about anything else. There’s no agenda, there’s no motive. His sole focus is, how do I help the Cleveland Cavaliers win basketball games? And he just goes out and does that.”
The early frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year, Mobley entered the game needing five rebounds to reach 100 for his career. He became the second fastest rookie in Cavaliers history to accomplish that. Franchise legend Brad Daugherty, whose No. 43 is hanging from the rafters, did it in 12 games.
“He’s doing the same thing that he’s been doing since the beginning of the year,” Cedi Osman said of Mobley. “He had another great game. It was great seeing him and Cade Cunningham at the same time on the floor, but we’re rooting for Evan. He definitely killed it tonight. ... As long as he’s Rookie of the Year, we don’t care that he’s the third pick.”
Cunningham, who has had a more hushed start to his career, scored nine points to go with six rebounds and three assists against a season-high seven turnovers in 31 minutes.
Tenacious defender Isaac Okoro was in the Cavaliers’ starting lineup for a second straight game. He got the assignment against Cunningham, one of two players the Cavs focused on throughout. Dean Wade, starting at small forward, also helped lead the defensive charge. With Cunningham flustered and leading scorer Jerami Grant contained, the Pistons’ offense flailed, shooting just 35.9% from the field and 30% from 3-point range while committing 23 turnovers. The 78 points are the lowest by a Cavs opponent since 2016.
Prior to the game, Pistons coach Dwane Casey said he wasn’t stunned by Cleveland’s rise. He singled out Mobley, Garland and veteran Ricky Rubio, among others, as keys to this turnaround.
All three players were at the center of Friday’s rout. Garland poured in a game-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. Rubio added five points, nine assists and five steals off the bench.
For the last three years, there was no such thing as a gimme win. The Cavs were that team for everyone else. Times are changing.
“We’re some dogs,” Garland said. “You’re not just about to come to Cleveland and roll over us anymore. We’re going to show some fight, show some grit, show some competitiveness and that’s what we’re trying to do every night.”
Man down
Lamar Stevens played just one minute before challenging a transition shot and landing awkwardly on his right ankle. Stevens, who was assisted off the court, putting little weight on his lower leg, was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain and quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Welcome back
Kevin Love, who missed his sixth game while in the health and safety protocols, was cleared to return to the team environment Friday night. Able to sit on the bench, Love joined the guys midway through the first half. Despite this positive step forward, Love’s return-to-play status has not yet been determined. He was placed in the health and safety protocols on Nov. 1.
Up next
The Cavs will continue their homestand against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
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