Player Grades: Cavs at Bucks – Jarrett Allen’s game-tying bucket is a tad too late

The Cleveland Cavaliers nearly stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks. This one ended on a Jarrett Allen hook that nearly sent the game into overtime if he had just released it 0.2 seconds earlier.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Jarrett Allen

27 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block

Allen continues the best stretch of his career. This time, elevating the Cavaliers’ B-Team with his interior presence. Allen dominated the glass and put the ball in the hoop anytime his teammates passed to him. He nearly saved this game and sent it into overtime with a putback opportunity that came just a tad too late. Otherwise, it was a stellar game from JA.

Grade: A+

Jaylon Tyson

14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

This was a brutal shooting game from Tyson. He finished 5-16 from the floor and ended as a team worst minus-19. His efforts on the glass are commendable, but the Cavs simply needed a more efficient shooting performance and better defensive integrity from Tyson tonight.

Grade: C-

Dennis Schroder

26 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Schroder’s a competitor. His feisty playstyle helped turn the tide of this game in the third quarter. When the Bucks rattled off an 11-0 run, Schroder helped lead a 10-0 response for the Cavs. His dashes into the lane caused Milwaukee’s defense to scramble, and Schroder either made the correct pass or put two points on the board himself.

His final stretch in the fourth quarter was the definition of grit-and-grind. Even on a rolled ankle, Schroder kept the Cavs in stride and almost carried them to a win.

Grade: A+

Sam Merrill

14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers

Something tells me Sam is going to feel this one in the morning. He hit the floor every other possession as the Cavs leaned on him to create more than usual. Merrill impressed me with some of his mid-range shot-making, and it’s always nice to see him turn the corner on an unsuspecting defender and finish at the rim.

That said, Merrill airballed a three-pointer and sailed a lob pass out of bounds moments later in the fourth quarter. I have to knock him for that. This was a hard-fought game that wasn’t particularly pretty.

Grade: C+

Keon Ellis

14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

This was the best game Ellis has played in a Cavalier uniform (so far). We’ve seen him make an impact with his defense. Tonight, he poured in four three-pointers in addition to his elite defensive instincts. Some of the steals and deflections he comes up with are absurd. And when he has it rolling from behind the line as he did tonight, it’s a special sight to see.

This is everything you want in a role player.

Grade: A+

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers

The recent Qwan minutes haven’t been great. He threw some truly bad turnovers tonight and didn’t play in the second half.

Grade: F

Craig Porter Jr.

8 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds

Porter finally returned to the rotation tonight as injuries cleared the way for him. He made the most of it, aiding Schroder in the Cavaliers’ huge third-quarter run. Porter’s downhill drives helped pull the offense out of the mud — and he threw some of the best passes to Allen all game.

Grade: A-

Dean Wade

0 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Wade wasn’t great tonight. He shot 0-4 from the floor, and his defense wasn’t as impactful as the Bucks’ spammed three-pointers, putting him into space and away from his size.

Grade: F

Thomas Bryant

11 points, 2 rebounds

Reliable. Bryant has stepped up and provided the Cavs with quality minutes whenever they need him.

Grade: B+