Cleveland Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell retorted an interesting question reporter during his postgame press conference after a 126-114 win Thursday night. After Darius Garland sent a message to the champion Boston Celtics following the Cavs’ 115-111 victory on Sunday, Mitchell’s question related to the Celtics’ elite three-point shooting.
The Cavs are 17-0 when they shoot over 35% from deep and 3-3 when they don’t. Is Cleveland too reliant on three-point shooting? SB Nation’s Jackson Flickinger asked, per X, formerly Twitter.
“Would you ask Boston that question?” Donovan Mitchell asked. “I’m not trying to be an a****** at all when I say that.”
Mitchell’s question triggered a response in written form, per SB Nation.
“I said no. It’s impossible to question the Boston Celtics’s formula,” Flickinger said. “But it’s fair to wonder if the Cavs are capable of following that blueprint, especially after poor outside shooting did them in during the last two postseasons, as they went 31.5% and 30.6% from three.
“At the same time, they have no choice but to try playing that style,” he concluded.
The Cavs connected on 17-of-26 threes (47.2%) in their win against the Celtics. Shooting above 35% from three has an undefeated mark for Cleveland (17-0). The Celtics are elite in an NBA era where three-point shooting reigns supreme, and they have proven that it’s a style that can lead to winning a championship. They lead the league in three-pointers made (19.1), three-point attempts (51.0), and three-point frequency (56.2) this season.
However, with the NBA’s best record, the Cavs (20-3) lead the league in three-point shooting percentage (40.5).
Darius Garland sends ‘ain’t no punk’ message after beating Celtics
Cavs fans sighed in relief after Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s injury scare. Beforehand, Garland addressed the Celtics’ defensive strategy to deter the guard’s offensive production. It didn’t work. He finished with 22 points, including 4-for-6 from deep.
After the game, Garland addressed the champion’s defensive tactic.
“I’m going to take that challenge whenever it is,” Garland said. “I’m no punk. So if y’all want to switch and to x me out and try to just hunt me out, that’s cool. I ain’t no punk, though. I’m gonna take a challenge.”
While implementing a new system, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson has encouraged Garland’s aggressive approach.
“This goes back to me watching the playoffs last year, and, you know, I think they did different things to hide him,” Atkinson said. “My point to Darius [was], ‘We’re not hiding you. You’re good enough. Accept the challenge. You’re smart enough.’ Because I think when you start doing the tricky stuff, these teams are too good.
The Cavs will face the Hornets on Saturday.
