Cavs notes: Evan Mobley getting back on track

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley's season has been up and down. He hasn't quite reached the potential many thought he'd reach this year. However, he's been very good in the second half. "He's been trending positively," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He's playing with more confidence. He seems more comfortable. Evan seems to be out of him dip. He's improving at the right time." Mobley recorded 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists and made 6-fot-9 from the field in Game 1. He finished the regular season ranked fourth in the NBA in blocked shots when he averaged 1.74 per game (second in the Eastern Conference). It was the most blocks for the Cavs since Zydrunas Ilgauskas's 1.74 in 2005-06. Since the 7-foot, 230-pound Mobley altered his game in the second half of the season, 80 percent of his shots came in the lane. Atkinson said he doesn't want him to totally forego the 3-point shot. Mobley's lone 3-pointer in Game 1 was a crucial shot. "With him it's a timing thing," the coach said. "However, he's been a force to the rim. He led the league in dunks (for the second year in a row)." Mobley said the Cavs are playing their brand of basketball. "I feel like I'm at my best right now," he said. "We're peaking at the right time. We played a complete game (in Game 1)." First-round pick The Houston Rockets (52-30) won a tiebreaker with the Cavs for the 22nd pick in the NBA Draft on June 24. So, Cleveland will select No. 23. The draft lottery will be held Sunday, May 10, and air live on ABC at 3 p.m. The first round will take place Tuesday, June 23, and the second round the next day. Elite passer Atkinson marvels at Cavs point guard James Harden's passing ability. He said only Harden and Lakers star LeBron James can make some of the passes they make with "accuracy" and "speed." "You have to be strong to throw some of those passes," he said. "(Harden) has a great, great feel. I've said it before, he's a way better passer than I thought he was." Top defender Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is one of the top defenders in the league, "He's out best rim protector," Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. Barnes started out on Mobley on defense, but the Raptors switch a lot on defense. "He's going to end up on some of the main guys," Rajakovic said. "We'll mazimize his best effect on the game." Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) missed the first two games of the playoff series. Because of that, the ball is in Barnes' hands even more than normal. He had 21 points and seven assists in Game 1, "He's a really good playmaker," Atkinson said. "He's a forceful player. You can't lay off the guy (at the 3-point line). He'll punish you with 3-pointers." Keys to game The Raptors coach said the keys to Game 2 were rebounding and taking care of the basketball. "That will decide on who has more possessions," he said. Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.