LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 17: Isaiah Mobley #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers accepts his MVP award for the 2023 NBA Summer League Championship game against the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
If the NBA Summer League was an indicator of what’s to come for the Cleveland Cavaliers, then Cavs fans have plenty of reasons to be excited.
The competition wrapped up in Las Vegas on Monday, Jul. 17, where the Cavaliers met the Houston Rockets in the championship game. Both teams were 5-0 before Monday’s game, and after 40 minutes, the Cavaliers were victors, 99-78.
They looked like the better side from the start. The movement was constant, passing was fluid, and the shots were attempted with confidence, even when they did not fall. The Cavaliers led 28-14 after the first quarter. And even though the Rockets looked like they got a boost in the second, the young Cavs kept their composure toward the finish line.
Houston started the game by making two out of 14 three-point attempts. But they made their next six shots from distance and sparked a 14-2 run to cut the lead to three. That was as close as they got. From that point, it was all Cleveland.
NBA Twitter reacts to Summer League championship game
Second-year player Isaiah Mobley dominated with 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. His double-double effort won him the Finals MVP award. Regular season MVP Cam Whitmore had a quiet night for Houston with 14 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes of play.
Despite Mobley winning the individual honor, it was nothing but a group effort for the Cavaliers. They collectively shot 37 percent from three and 49.3 percent from the field. Sam Merrill put up 27 points and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Emoni Bates gave 19 points and five boards.
The Cavaliers’ play and Summer League finale sparked some memes and reactions from NBA Twitter.
Memes aside, the Cavaliers ended their dominant Summer League run with a blast. And though the competition is a lot harder for these young players in the NBA, the summer tournament remains a great platform for their development and exposure.
- Published on 07/18/2023 at 03:36 AM
- Last updated at 07/18/2023 at 03:39 AM
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Author: Leocciano Callao
July 17, 2023 | 11:36 pm
