Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff was brutally honest about Evan Mobley’s performance vs the New York Knicks in a Tuesday conference.
“I think (Mobley) struggled tonight to be honest with you, on the offensive end,” he said, via Cleveland.com Cavs reporter Chris Fedor. “I think he did a good job of competing and trying to rebound, but I think tonight offensively wasn’t his best.”
Evan Mobley ended the 109-91 loss to New York with six points, 12 rebounds and five assists in just over 29 minutes of play. He made three of his nine shots from the floor. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 15.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and three assists per contest in the four games he has suited up for the Cavs this season.
Cleveland hit a total of 39.1% of its shots from the field and 26.3% of its tries from the 3-point line. New York countered with a 44.2% field goal percentage and by hitting 38.2% of its 34 3-point attempts on the Cavs’ home floor. Guard Jalen Brunson, who averaged 24 points per game in New York’s five-game playoff series win over Cleveland, scored 19 points on a 43.8% field goal percentage.
JB Bickerstaff highlighted the Cavs’ need to get Mobley the ball in the Tuesday conference.
“We have to do a better job of getting him the ball, and that’s me included,” Bickerstaff said, via Fedor. “He had the five assists because he does make the right play.
“I think we make a few more of those shots, they have to stay more at home, and then he can be more aggressive in the middle of the floor. But, you know, again, I think (Mobley) is gonna make the right basketball play.”
The Cavs will tip off against the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in Madison Square Garden. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Ohio.