The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls were two of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference for almost two-thirds of the season, but the squads recently fell to sixth and fifth place, respectively.
Rookie center Evan Mobley continued his dominance in the Rookie of the Year competition, ranking No. 1 in the Kia Rookie Ladder released Wednesday. Veteran guard DeMar DeRozan and his Bulls need to fix some issues as they fell drastically from the top of East.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (3-5 since March 11)
Despite persistent injuries throughout the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are sixth in the Eastern Conference, holding a current record of 41-32, which almost doubles their 22 wins from last season. The Cavaliers struggled over the years to win after forward LeBron James left in the summers of 2010 and 2018; however, this season is different, partly because of their No. 3 overall draft pick, Evan Mobley.
Led by head coach J. B. Bickerstaff, the Cavaliers have rebuilt around a new young core of 22-year-old Darius Garland, 23-year-old Jarrett Allen and 20-year-old Mobley. Unlike many young teams in the NBA, Bickerstaff’s Cavaliers have the sixth slowest pace and the fifth best defensive efficiency in the NBA. The team’s old-school, three-big roster has even brought discussion of the future of the 3-pointer era.
Former Trojan Mobley averaged 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks over his last eight games. Mobley has taken more responsibility since Jarrett Allen was injured March 6.
Mobley dropped a career-high 30 points on March 14 against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he made 12 of his 13 shots in the paint against 7-foot, 240-pound center Ivica Zubac. In such a physical game, Mobley’s improved core strength led to higher offensive efficiency.
On March 18, Mobley posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, one steal and two blocks in an overtime win against the reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. Mobley completely took over in overtime on both ends of the floor, posting four consecutive points to tie the game, forcing a turnover on Jokić and earning a game-winning three-point play over Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon.
Heading into the end of the regular season, the Cavaliers are at risk of losing their No. 6 spot to the Toronto Raptors, who are also 41-32.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls (2-5 since March 12)
The Chicago Bulls were a big surprise for the league in the first half of the season, but they have become one of the worst performing teams since All-Star Weekend. Adding five more losses in the last two weeks, the Bulls have dropped to fifth place in the East. After the Bulls lost by 28 points to the Milwaukee Bucks, their puzzling streak continues: 16 consecutive losses to the top three teams in each conference.
Just like the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan seems to be struggling recently, averaging 22.8 points on 46.5% shooting, 4.3 rebounds and four assists over his last six games.
This represents a downward trend in a stellar 13th season where DeRozan has scored a career-high 27.6 points per game on a career-high 50.5% shooting, plus 5.3 rebounds and five assists.
On March 22, DeRozan posted 21 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field without a free throw attempt, which is rarely seen for a player with the fifth highest free throw attempts per game: 7.7.
DeRozan has contributed 36 minutes per game this season, the sixth most in the league. One of the reasons why DeRozan can’t afford to rest much is because of the team’s injuries.
However, playing for such a long time leads to decreasing efficiency and higher injury potential for DeRozan. The veteran was sidelined for Thursday’s game against the Pelicans with a groin strain.
The other reason why the team’s performance is becoming worse is that the Bulls are not sharing the ball; their 24.1 assists per game are 17th in the NBA. The Bulls have relied heavily on star players’ isolation plays due to injuries.
With nine games to go, the Bulls desperately need their core players to return to help the team secure a playoff spot.
Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls (2-5 since March 12)
Though Bulls center Nikola Vučević is still trying to find his rhythm, his recent performances have been more efficient than before. Vučević has averaged 18 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal over the last seven games.
Vučević contributed 20 points, 14 rebounds, two steals and one block in the win over the Cavaliers on March 13. Vučević displayed his versatility on the offensive end, making two 3-pointers and multiple shots in the post.
The Bulls have been playing small rosters since the beginning of the season, leaving Vučević with a lot of pressure on his shoulders defensively. Adding veteran center Tristan Thompson hasn’t completely addressed the problem, but the team can only get better through adjusting as the season comes to a close.
De’Anthony Melton, Memphis Grizzlies (7-1 since March 8)
The young Memphis Grizzlies continue to showcase their excellence with a record of 51-23, the second-best in the NBA. The Grizzlies have won seven of their last eight games, and half of them were without their best player, guard Ja Morant.
Guard De’Anthony Melton is stepping up when the Grizzlies need him, averaging 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21 minutes over that eight-game span.
In Wednesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, Melton contributed 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, including six 3-pointers and a slam dunk on a fast break over Nets forward James Johnson.
Coming off the bench, Melton has made a consistent impact for the Grizzlies through effort on both ends. Melton’s contribution is of great importance as the Grizzlies are heading into the playoffs with aspirations of winning the NBA Finals.