CLEVELAND — The banged-up Cavaliers were bailed out by young-buck Cavs as the team wrapped up a six-game home stand Nov. 23 with a commanding 120-105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sure, Cavs All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell dominated with 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting from the field (5 of 9 on 3-pointers), eight rebounds and six assists. Forward Evan Mobley posted a double-double, with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and wing De’Andre Hunter added 17 points for the Cavs, who improved to 12-6 this season and went 4-2 in their last six games at Rocket Arena.
But the Clippers (5-12) received impressive production from their top players, too. Center Ivica Zubac finished with 33 points and 18 rebounds, forward Kawhi Leonard produced 20 points and guard James Harden scored 19.
Cavs starters outscored Clippers starters just 87-86, but Cleveland outscored LA 33-19 in bench points.
The Cavs were without five significant contributors — starting center Jarrett Allen (right third finger strain), point guard Lonzo Ball (left knee injury management), shooting guard Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), point guard Craig Porter Jr. (left hamstring sprain) and small forward Max Strus (left foot surgery). Those injures forced Cleveland to heavily count on its depth.
Here are three young Cavs who answered the bell against the Clippers:
Cleveland Cavs rookie guard Tyrese Proctor appears to be a draft steal
Cavs guard Tyrese Proctor built on a strong rookie season by scoring 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor (2 of 5 on 3-pointers), grabbing three rebounds and tallying three assists in 17 minutes.
Coach Kenny Atkinson said he’s impressed with the “moxie” of Proctor, an Australia native whom the Cavs drafted in the second round (No. 49 overall) out of Duke University in June.
Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson describes Tyrese Proctor as draft steal. Video
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson shared his progress report on rookie guard Tyrese Proctor. Here’s video.
“He’s just got this demeanor about him,” Atkinson said. “He’s a highly skilled player, but I didn’t know he was that kind of tough. He’s like Aussie tough. He’s got a great, really good presence about him. He’s a really skilled player, and I looked at his defensive rating the other day. When he’s in there, he defends his position.
“I think we got a first-round pick in the second round. I mean, that’s what it looks like. I know it’s early. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. There’s been no discussion about him playing with the [Cleveland] Charge [in the NBA] G League. That’s when you know you’ve got a player. We just kind of thought about him as an NBA rotation player the moment he stepped in our facility.”
Listed as 6 feet, 4 inches and 189 pounds, Proctor has scored in double-figures three times this season. The 21-year-old Proctor is averaging 4.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 11.4 minutes.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin continues to earn praise from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell
Cavs forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin continued to turn heads. He and Proctor combined to create key moments late in the first quarter. As a result, the Cavs led 27-24 at the end of the opening quarter, and they never trailed again.
With 29.1 seconds left in the first quarter, Tomlin threw down a fast-break dunk. Forward Dean Wade dished out an assist to Tomlin after registering a steal. Then Tomlin blocked Clippers guard James Harden’s attempted layup with nine seconds remaining, and Proctor made a 3-pointer during the ensuing possession with 1.9 seconds left.
Tomlin scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field (1 of 3 on 3-pointers) and compiled two rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocked shots in 22 minutes.
“It’s every single night you can say something about [Tomlin],” Mitchell said. “I think that’s what’s special. We all know the story, and I think that that’s great. But you’re seeing something every night. You’re seeing the heart, the hustle, the mindset. Tonight, he’s aggressive, getting downhill, he hit his first 3 of the year.
“Just seeing him continue to take those shots and still learning defensively, getting there, boarding up, like every night it’s something. And I think that’s what you love from a young guy. It’s not like two games here. It’s been every single time he steps on the floor you’re getting something positive from him.”
Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell praises Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s contributions
Cleveland Cavaliers All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell reflected on forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s contributions to the Cavs this season. Here’s video.
Although the 24-year-old Tomlin isn’t a rookie, he appeared in merely five regular-season games last season. In February, the Cavs signed him to a 10-day contract as an undrafted rookie out of the University of Memphis. In March, the Cavs signed him to a two-way contract.
“We need [Tomlin’s intensity and energy] with all our guys out, and he’s all over the place,” Atkinson said. “He’s on the offensive boards getting us extra possessions, cutting, really good in transition, and the kid’s a heck of an athlete. He’s an NBA upper-echelon athlete, and the shot, what I love about the shot, he’s not shy. He just fires them up there. Certain guys in that position would hesitate, so he’s got real confidence in himself.”
Listed as 6-8 and 216 pounds, Tomlin is averaging 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes this season.
Cavs forward Luke Travers ‘phenomenal’ vs. LA Clippers
Like Tomlin, forward Luke Travers is not a rookie, but his NBA regular-season experience is limited to last season, when he appeared in 12 games.
Listed as 6-7 and 220 pounds, Travers is a capable defender.
“Luke Travers was phenomenal tonight in his spurt,” Mitchell said.
The 24-year-old Travers scored three points on 1-of-3 shooting on 3-pointers and collected two rebounds, an assist and two steals in 15 minutes. He’s averaging 1.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes this season.
Atkinson pointed to Proctor, Tomlin and Travers as reasons the Cavs beat the Clippers.
“To go out there against a team like that and have your young guys play like really good rotation players, that’s huge,” Atkinson said. “If you have three of them play subpar or kind of non-rotation value, you end up with a loss. All three of them playing well helps us get the win. If they don’t play well, maybe you come out of this with the loss. That’s how important it is.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
