NBA Game Notes: Observations and clips from all seven Saturday games

We're hitting on all seven games on a fun Saturday in the NBA

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I love matinee basketball. It’s often messy and chaotic, but it’s always fun. Plus, more games in their own windows are great, because we get to really lock in.

Here’s what I saw on Saturday!

Cleveland Cavaliers - 116 at Charlotte Hornets - 102

• It was Evan Mobley’s afternoon in Charlotte. He went for a career-high 41 points on 16-of-23 shooting, including 6-of-8 on three-pointers. The Cavs correctly read that Mobley had the best matchup against the vastly undersized/undermanned Hornets, and they fed him repeatedly.

  Cleveland got Mobley going early. Mobley started the scoring by using his size to overpower Cody Martin for the easy on in the lane. Then, he pulled a no-hesitation above-the-break three off a kickout from Donovan Mitchell. The last clip is really something though. A pullup three from the top of the arc? That’s big-time confidence from Mobley:

• Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell played nice floor games in this one. They had their moments as scorers, but both were really good about directing the ball and making sure Evan Mobley kept getting touches. Caris LeVert kept that same energy when he got in too.

• Charlotte was undersized and undermanned, but they battled. They got back in the game after it looked like Cleveland would blow them out. That’s a good sign for Charles Lee having his team playing hard.

• DaQuan Jeffries was a throw-in in the big Knicks-Timberwolves trades that the Hornets helped facilitate. He got hurt in training camp and wasn’t waived by Charlotte. Now, Jeffries is contributing with a bunch of other perimeter players sidelined. This was a nice drive of a closeout for a bucket by Jeffries here:

Detroit Pistons - 120 at New York Knicks - 111

• This was THAT game for Cade Cunningham. He was in full control all game long. Got to his spots, found shots for himself or set up his teammates. Let’s start with his own scoring!

  • First, Cunningham does a nice job with his handle to snake the pick-and-roll for a pullup.

  • Then, he works the screen game again, sees Precious Achiuwa take a step backwards and drills a one-dribble pullup three.

  • In the third clip, Cunningham does a nice job with his personal pace. He takes a hesitation dribble to make sure he keeps OG Anunoby on his hip before finishing.

  • The final shot is a perfect shot for Cunningham. He drives Mikal Bridges, uses his shoulder (importantly: not his off arm!) to create space and buries the short paint pullup.

• Cade Cunningham did just as much as a passer. He was dropping dimes all game long. Here are some of his best assists:

  • First was a perfect bounce pass in transition to set up Jaden Ivey. This one probably has old-school fans and coaches excited because it’s perfectly executed!

  • Second is a patient, simple drive-and-kick find to Malik Beasley for three.

  • Third assist is a perfect pocket pass to the rolling Jalen Duren

  • Fourth clip is a pretty no-look pass to Ivey on the cut

  • Last one is a lefty slip pass to set up Isaiah Stewart II

• I think J.B. Bickerstaff has done a nice job with Ron Holland II’s development so far. He’s playing Holland every game but keeping his minutes relatively low. And Bickerstaff is keeping it simple for the rookie: Defend, rebound, run the floor, shoot when you’re open. The rest will come eventually.

• The better shooting and spacing was really evident for Detroit in this game. Night and day from last season.

• Jalen Brunson played a good game, but you could see him kind of missing Karl-Anthony Towns. And that’s actually a good thing for the Knicks, because it shows just how much chemistry the point guard and center have already developed.

• Looks like it’s starting to come around for Mikal Bridges on offense. His defense has been where it used to be. In fact, Bridges has dropped off considerably on that end since he was traded to Brooklyn.

• Love the energy Precious Achiuwa brings when he gets in. That’s going to be huge for the Knicks throughout the season.

Denver Nuggets - 113 at Washington Wizards - 122

• Almost everyone else is going to start with this being a bad loss for the Nuggets (we’ll get there), so let’s flip it! What a great win for the Wizards!

  Washington was shorthanded and playing a contender. What a way to break the long losing streak. That had to feel good for the home team!

• Jordan Poole continues to have a nice season. He’s been a lot less silly and chaotic this season. He’s played under control and done well for Washington. That can only help his trade value moving forward.

• Good showcase for Jonas Valanciunas. Yes, Nikola Jokic scored a million points, but Valanciunas gave a lot of points back and did a nice job on the glass and moving the ball.

• Strong games for Jared Butler and Johnny Davis off the bench. They took advantage of their matchups when they were in the game.

• Nikola Jokic was incredible. But he’s starting to get visibly frustrated at having to be a one-man show. You can see his annoyance with having to shoot so much. Jokic would rather be part of an ensemble than a solo act, and it’s very evident at the moment.

• Solid games for Julian Strawther and Christian Braun. Both young wings are starting to settle in.

Dallas Mavericks - 125 at Toronto Raptors - 118

• The Mavs piled up a massive free throw advantage in this one. It wasn’t one of those games where Luka Doncic baited the refs into a bunch of calls either. Dallas simply forced the issue inside and that drove up their free throw total.

• This version of Kyrie Irving has been so fun. He doesn’t force anything. He lets the game come to him. If he needs to take over, he will. But Irving has been content to keep the ball moving and to play off Luka Doncic. That partnership has gone better than even the biggest optimist predicted.

• Thought Scottie Barnes did a great job in this one. He kept Toronto in it with some very good all-around play.

• Kelly Olynyk was back and played really well. He’s going to give the Raptors some excellent minutes the rest of the way.