For the Cavs, it’s a tough loss as Donovan Mitchell wasn’t there when needed – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Come on, Donovan Mitchell, you’re higher than that.

That thought stored operating via my thoughts whereas watching the Cavs within the fourth quarter of their 102-93 loss to the Knicks in New York. The Cavs are down 3-1 within the best-of-seven first spherical of the playoffs, and they’re in serious trouble.

Mitchell shouldn’t be the one cause the Cavs misplaced this recreation. However he may have helped them win. In some methods, the sport was arrange for him to be the big-time Cleveland nearer. The Cavs made a megadeal for Mitchell due to video games like this – stress cooker playoffs in opposition to a gritty protection on the street.

As a substitute, Mitchell appeared confused when going through some double groups from the Knicks. He seemed jittery when taking some open photographs, the ball banging off the rim. By the center of the fourth quarter, his physique language alternated between annoyed and defeated.

Within the second half, Mitchell was 1 of 9 from the sector, together with 1 of 4 within the remaining interval. Give him 11 ugly factors. He had extra turnovers (6) than assists (4) or rebounds (4). He struggled on protection.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

Watching this, I stored questioning, The place is the Donovan Mitchell who began the All-Star Sport. Or the Mitchell who averaged 28 factors in 39 profession playoff video games heading into 2023?

When he was wanted probably the most, Mitchell got here up empty. I’m not questioning his effort. He’s from the New York space. Enjoying at Madison Sq. Backyard is vital to him. He had hoped to be traded to the Knicks final summer season.

Possibly the sport mattered an excessive amount of. Mitchell had 12 turnovers within the two losses in New York, by no means trying very assured.

That is Mitchell’s sixth journey to the playoffs. The primary 5 had been in Utah, the place the Jazz normally had terrific regular-season information. However 3 times, they had been dumped within the first spherical. Within the different two playoff appearances, they misplaced within the second spherical.

That was a part of the rationale Utah broke up its workforce, buying and selling star Rudy Gobert and Mitchell within the offseason.

HARD TO WATCH

Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen had been dismal within the first half, when the Cavs had been behind by 15 factors at one juncture. They lower the deficit to 9 on the half. That they had a 71-70 lead with 26 seconds left within the third quarter.

Garland and Allen led the third-quarter revival. Mitchell was on the bench for the beginning of the fourth quarter. He entered the sport on the 8:56 mark. The Cavs had been behind 80-75 and had the ball.

Now was Mitchell’s second. Garland was scoring, so the Knicks protection had to concentrate to Mitchell’s backcourt mate. Mitchell is among the finest Cavaliers I’ve ever seen at driving to the rim, being hit and scoring – or a minimum of drawing fouls. However he was only one of two from the foul line. He did not press the motion with significant drives to the basket.

He shot like a man who doubted the ball was moving into. Nor did he have a transparent thought what he needed to do with the ball. Maybe coach J.B. Bickerstaff may have run some performs to create higher photographs for Mitchell.

However Mitchell’s position is a shot creator, the man who finally ends up with the ball because the 24-second clock ticks down and the heartbeats rev up. However not on at the present time.

In the meantime, Garland scored 10 factors within the fourth quarter. He completed with 23 factors. He had 10 assists, zero turnovers. Allen completed with 14 factors.

However the Cavs had been smashed on the boards, 47-33. Allen had solely 4 rebounds. The main Cleveland rebounder was Caris LeVert (9), adopted by Evan Mobley (7).

So it was not all of the fault of Mitchell. However his failure on this recreation on an enormous NBA stage can’t be ignored.

– You will discover extra Terry Pluto columns right here.

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