{"id":866105,"date":"2026-10-23T22:48:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T22:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/866105\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T22:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T22:48:16","slug":"mario-hezonja-was-a-bright-spot-in-the-cavs-embarrassing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/866105\/","title":{"rendered":"Mario Hezonja Was A Bright Spot in the Cavs\u2019 Embarrassing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the new look Philadelphia 76ers, there were indeed a few positive takeaways from Cleveland\u2019s opening night performance. Mario Hezonja, one of the team\u2019s newest additions<\/a> might have provided fans with a few reasons to be optimistic moving forward.<\/p>\n

In his first official NBA game in well over 6 years, the veteran forward provided Cleveland with a steadying presence at backup power forward (where he spent 100% of his opening night minutes), offering contributions in several ways, carrying over the impactful play from preseason action<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n

He was active defensively, forcing multiple turnovers which in turn, lead to transition points. His 2 deflections wound up leading the team. He held his own in isolation, taking on LeBron (0\/1), Jaylen Brown (0\/1), and Anfernee Simons (0\/2) at various points throughout last night\u2019s contest. <\/p>\n

He functioned as a connector when operating off ball on the opposite end of the floor, making the extra pass when needed or the correct read when available, leading to baskets for his teammates.<\/p>\n

And though he failed to convert on his attempts from long range (0\/5), all of which were of the catch-and-shoot variety, I was intrigued by his mere willingness to pull the trigger considering that we\u2019ve been treated to years of players being hesitant to pull the trigger from that position. <\/p>\n

But if I\u2019m being honest, it\u2019s what Hezonja managed to do from inside the arc that impressed me the most. The reigning Spanish ACB Regular Season MVP went to work on the interior, posting up smaller players and working his way to in-rhythm midrange turnaround jumpers and lay-ins around the rim. <\/p>\n

Mario Hezonja is going to end up being one of the best contractual bargains in basketball this year. He provided in numerous ways. <\/p>\n

Post-ups? \u2705
Defensive disruption? \u2705
Connectivity? \u2705
Confidence? \u2705<\/p>\n

As soon as the 3PT shot falls.. pic.twitter.com\/0G8Tj5DJLT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) October 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The man had the unmitigated gall to waive off Donovan Mitchell as he slowly and methodically backed down his defender (Simons). <\/p>\n

That is a skillset that had been missing from this Cavs bench for quite some time. And based off what we\u2019ve seen throughout his tenure overseas as well as his short time here with Cleveland, there is little doubt that he\u2019ll be able to provide it on a consistent basis. <\/p>\n

Hezonja would finish the game with 10 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Steals, and 1 Block. And while he wasn\u2019t necessarily efficient, going just 5\/13 (35.5%) from the field overall, his contributions on the interior should buy him enough time to see ample minutes until the perimeter shot begins to fall.<\/p>\n

As mentioned before, Hezonja spent 100% of his minutes (18 minutes, 38 seconds) lining up at Power Forward, with the Cavaliers posting an efficiency differential of +2.6 when he was on the floor. It could only be a matter of time before Head Coach Kenny Atkinson is forced to give him a little more to work with<\/a>. <\/p>\n

If nothing else, he looked the part of a veteran role player, someone who absolutely belongs in the NBA. If he\u2019s able to start knocking down shots while still providing in the aforementioned areas, he’ll have won the backup power forward role earlier than anticipated, especially with Nae’Qwan Tomlin sidelined at the moment.<\/a><\/p>\n

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