Just when it looked like the Cleveland Cavaliers would be losing their way, they began to look like an emphatic unit. After dropping four straight games, they have now won back-to-back games, tonight slashing the Portland Trail Blazers. Darius Garland led an efficient offense as the floor general. But the unignorable tower Evan Mobley saw pivotal in putting a stop to the Trail Blazers offense. They only scored 42 points in the paint and shot just 40% for the night.

That performance was largely influenced by Mobley’s impact on the defensive end of the floor. “He blocks hella shots, he gets rebounds and he can push it off the rebound as well. So uh know extremely talented guy. I’m glad I get to play with him and not against him now for sure,” his teammate De’Andre Hunter said.

Mobley recorded a season-high four blocks against the Trail Blazers. When guarded by him, the Portland players only made 29% of their 24 shots. Center Jarrett Allen wasn’t trailing far behind. Their defensive partnership has transformed the Cavs, but Mobley has managed to hone his skills on both sides of the court.

“I feel like every single game he improves you know whether it’s in one area or another. I think he had four blocks. His offensive presence the last what 6 minutes when we held them not having a field goal was impressive and we just trust to give them the ball and just to figure it out for us,” Allen said about his frontcourt partner.

Not just within the Cavaliers, but since Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama suffered a season-ending injury, a notion continues to grow popular “I mean he’s our defensive player of the year,” Darius Garland said about Mobley. His versatility as a near seven-footer to defend the perimeter as well as protect the paint makes the 23-year-old one of the best defensive players in the league.

There are very few who can force opponents to change the shape of their offense with their presence. Without a doubt, Evan Mobley stands in that category and he’s been a vital contributor to the Cavs’ success story this season.

The Cavaliers can’t wait to get home

After winning sixteen straight games, the road trip didn’t start the way the Cavaliers would have wanted to. They dropped the first four games, all against oppositions they would have expected to win. These results can create a mental hurdle that has prevented even the best teams in the past from achieving success. But the Cavs’ temperament and perseverance have been tested all season. Each time they have passed.

They ended the stretch with two dominant wins. And although they are upset about losing the four games, their eye is on the bigger picture. “It wasn’t our best but we head in the right direction getting ready for this playoff push. So try to stay healthy as we as much as we can, get everybody rolling, get everybody on all cylinders stay locked in on the details and the little things, and get ready for this playoff push,” Evan Mobley said about the road trip.

Being on the road for 10 days wasn’t easy. Allen said, “We’re ready to be in our own beds. We’re ready to be back in Cleveland”. And although they went 2-4 during the ongoing road trip, they have been historically great away from home this season. Tonight marked their 28th win on the road. It’s the most they have managed in the franchise’s history, a major transcending change for the best team in the NBA.

It’s because of their toughness and unyielding mentality. They approach each game with the intention of wanting to “go out there and play our best basketball,” as Allen mentioned. That’s the reason even after some sporadic losing streaks, the Cavaliers have managed to overcome them.

Through each result, they learn something and put the games behind them. The mindset to take every game seriously and deliver their best foot forward has led to them having the best record in the NBA. In addition, with their proficiency both on the road and at home, the Cavaliers are roaring title contenders this season.