Las Vegas, NV - They say 'What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas', but for the 2023 edition of the Cleveland Cavaliers Summer League team, let's hope that statement doesn't include basketball. The Cavaliers squared off with the Houston Rockets in the Las Vegas Summer League Championship on Monday evening. The Cavaliers and Rockets entered the Championship bout 5-0.
This is the second time in Summer League history that the Cavaliers have gone undefeated in the regular session. They also achieved that feat in 2005 when they went 6-0, but due to the lack of involvement from all teams, there was no tournament after the scheduled session games until the summer of 2013.
Here's a quick look at the Cavaliers trek to make it to the penultimate showdown:
Game 1: July 7, vs. Brooklyn Nets 101-97
Key Players: G Sharife Cooper 27 pts. F Isaiah Mobley 15 pts, 9 Reb, 6 Asst. G/F Emoni Bates 16 Pts, 6 Reb.
Game 2: July 9, vs. Toronto Raptors 99-76
G/F Sam Merrill 14 pts. F Isaiah Mobley 15 pts, 6 Reb.
Game 3: July 10, vs. Memphis Grizzlies 100-77
G/F Sam Merrill 27 pts (8-11 3Pt), G/F Emoni Bates 21 pts, G Craig Porter Jr. 12 pts, 7 Reb. 6 asst.
Game 4: July 13, vs. Chicago Bulls 87-83
G Craig Porter Jr. 22 pts, 8 Rebs, 6 asst. F Isaiah Mobley 18 pts, 12 Rebs. G/F Emoni Bates 15 pts, 6 Rebs.
Game 5: Semi-Finals July 16 vs. Brooklyn Nets 102-99 OT
F Isaiah Mobley 23 pts, 7 Rebs, 5 asst. G/F Emoni Bates 20 pts, 7 Rebs. G/F Sam Merrill 19 pts, 4 Rebs, 5 asst. G Craig Porter Jr. 12 pts. 7 Rebs. 7 asst.
Game 6: Finals July 17 vs. Houston Rockets 98-77
In a battle of undefeated teams for the Las Vegas crown, the Cavaliers squared off with the Houston Rockets. The Cavaliers again relied on their top guns of the tournament to give them the upper hand. The Cavs led throughout, building a 14-point lead by the quarter's end. The Rockets were able to cut the lead in half headed into the break before the Cavaliers again came out of the locker room on a heater. The 3rd quarter was a +13 for the Wine & Gold and that was about all she wrote in this one.
Leading the way for the good guys was Summer League MVP Isaiah Mobley who led all scorers with 28 while gathering 11 boards. On 6 of 12 shooting from beyond the arc was Sam Merrill, who ended the night with 26. Craig Porter Jr. filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 8 assists, and 9 rebounds. Emoni Bates chipped in with 19 points, 5 boards and 4 assists.
The Cavaliers were led by Charge head coach Mike Gerrity, who will likely play a large role in each of these players' development this season as most will split time between the Cavaliers and the Charge.
Images used from Cleveland Cavaliers Social Media Accounts.