Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks player grades: Rodney Hood leads the way

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George Hill: A-

Hill’s energy level in this game was noticeable, as he really kept the Cavs’ ship running even when he wasn’t the one bringing up the ball. The two knocks on his night were inability to stay in front of Trae Young — granted, no Cavs could — and some foul trouble. But when he was in, he was really, really good.

Rodney Hood: A

It’d be good for Hood to do more than score. But he made more than one three-pointer for the first time this season and lead the Cavs in scoring. If he could play like this more often, the Cavs offense would be better off, if flawed.

Cedi Osman: B+

Osman’s finishing still leaves a lot to be desired, and he’d have had an even better night had a gone up stronger to the rim on a few occasions. But he was much more like the do-it-all go-getter he was at the start of the season against the Hawks, and did get to the line seven times. Osman also made a few nice reads when the Cavs let the ball stay in his hands.

Sam Dekker: B

Dekker looks unsure of himself when he finds the ball in hands, and there were a few instances where he lead a fastbreak and it could have gone better. But he did make two catch-and-shoot three-pointers, rebounded well, cut well around the basic actions the Cavs ran and at least tried on defense. It’s enough, at least, to keep in Kevin Love’s spot for the time being.

Tristan Thompson: B+

Thompson again struggled to defend the pick-and-roll — something the Cavs as a whole just aren’t good at — but crushed the offensive glass, did a small bit of facilitating and did an okay job of converting the open looks Atlanta’s defense presented him. He’s not quite in his 2016 form, but he looks leagues better than he was last year. And he passed Anderson Varejao on the team’s all-time rebounding list.

Collin Sexton: B-

Sexton’s night had some rough spots. His shot still looks a bit forced and his decision making is still a bit reckless. And that’s all normal for a rookie point guard who plays as fast as he does. But, unlike the last time the Cavs played the Hawks, Sexton didn’t look completely overwhelmed on defense. And he made a three-pointer — a catch-and-shoot one at that.

Kyle Korver: D

Korver missed multiple makeable sots that the Cavs basically had him on the floor to make.

Larry Nance Jr.: C

Nance Jr. was fine, and to his credit, did make two mid-range jumpers when the Hawks gave him space. But he also missed two shots right at the rim that he absolutely should have made and didn’t make any impact on the glass.

Jordan Clarkson: C-

Clarkson’s decision making got the better of him a few times in the second half when a timely pass from him, or even a smarter shot, would have perhaps helped the Cavs put away the game sooner. And when he’s not making the contested shots he’s inevitably going to take, he loses value.

David Nwaba: Incomplete

Nwaba played six first half minutes and then disappeared until garbage time. He wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t noticeable either aside from a nice pass or two.

Ante Zizic: Incomplete

Zizic only played in garbage time.