One of the reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers (59-14) have controlled the Eastern Conference all season-long is because they can rely on other players aside from Donovan Mitchell to manufacture offense. However, this squad is still at its best when Spida leaves a big mark on the action.
The Cavs survived a shorthanded yet feisty San Antonio Spurs team (31-41) on Thursday night, as Mitchell snapped out of a recent funk and posted 25 points, 14 assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one block in a 124-116 home win. Cleveland remains undefeated when Mitchell records at least 25 points and 10 dimes in a game, per StatMuse.
Cavs trust Donovan Mitchell to enter another gear when necessary
On a team lauded for its balance and depth, No. 45 is still the engine. He had shot below 40 percent from the field in six of his last seven contests going into this meeting with the Spurs, but perhaps Mitchell is flipping the switch back on as the Cavs prepare to enter playoff mode.
The 2023 All-NBA Second-Team selection and franchise as a whole have the reputation of getting swallowed by the moment. This is the Cavaliers’ chance to squash that narrative by advancing to the NBA Finals and winning a title without LeBron James. A recent four-game losing streak raised some concerns because of the aforementioned track record, but one cannot just dismiss the historic 16-game winning streak that preceded it.
Although Cleveland still has some things to iron out, it has now won its last three matchups. The importance of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen cannot be overstated, but this team will only reach its ceiling if Donovan Mitchell performs like the star he is when it matters most. Because, as the data shows, there is no stopping the Cavs when he is impacting the game as both a scorer and playmaker.
This group has enjoyed a stellar regular season. Now, it must validate all the hard work and wins with a momentous postseason trip. Mitchell, his teammates, and the coaching staff need to use the last nine games to get in the right mindset for the most important time of the year.
