Mitchell cracked the code in Game 2, but returned to his worst habits two days later.
The Cleveland Cavaliers found the formula to beat the Boston Celtics in Game 2. They got to the rim, ran Boston off the three-point line, and got timely contributions from their entire team. Those were part of the blueprint. However, the most important part was Donovan Mitchell’s ability to take control of the game with something other than his incredible scoring ability.
Mitchell made an effort to come out and set up his teammates in the beginning of Game 2. He collected nearly as many assists (5) as he did shot attempts (6) in the first half. Mitchell wasn’t passive at all. The force he played with was directed towards helping his teammates and not at seeking his own shot.
This opened up the game in the second half which allowed him to score 23 points over the final two quarters to steal the victory.
Mitchell played with the same force in Game 3. The difference was that force wasn’t directed at helping his teammates. Mitchell took nearly half of the team’s field-goal attempts in the first quarter and had only one helper. He came out with the idea of putting an imprint on the game. The issue was his teammates were more by standards to his greatness than active participants in a basketball game. This contributed to them shooting 5-24 from three (20.8%) on Saturday.
“It’s a balance,” Mitchell said after Game 3. “It’s not going to be perfect. But [Boston] got going. They started scoring so I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to try and be a little more aggressive.’ And I started feeling a little hot in the second quarter. . . So it’s just about trying to pick my spots and there’s no real formula. It’s just kind of what the game calls for at the time.”
This is the wall that Boston puts you up against. Their ability to string together runs when momentum is on their side is why they had so many double-digit victories in the regular season. Mitchell’s desire to end those runs sometimes allowed them to go on even longer than they otherwise would’ve.
“There were some times where we tried to hit the home run,” Mitchell said. “Myself included.”
The balance between wanting to put the team on your back in a helpful way and an unhelpful way is very thin. Mitchell has been on the correct side of that line more often than not this postseason given the absolute lack of help his teammates have given him. At the same time, it’s fair to question whether that lack of support is a byproduct of them not being able to play their game. Mitchell’s teammates have been forced to only orbit around him. This has left them directionless even when he isn’t on the court.
Mitchell has been the best player in the series and it hasn’t been particularly close. This was true even in Game 3 when he put up 33 points while going 7-12 from three. While impressive, the way Mitchell got those points didn’t come within the context of the team’s offense. Only one of his 12 makes were assisted. That’s the sign of someone taking matters into their own hands in a way their opponent is okay with.
Mitchell lamented after Game 3 that the Cavaliers got away from the “formula” that worked in Game 2. He’s correct, but he also got away from what made his individual performance special Thursday night in Boston.
“I can’t do it by myself,” Mitchell said after Game 2. “It’s a group thing. I said that after the other day. I trust my guys.”
That belief was part of what was missing in Game 3. The Cavs need that back if Mitchell or this team is going to return to the heights they proved they could get to in Game 2.
