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Donovan Mitchell’s Spectacular 4th Quarter Leads Cavs Past Boston
In today’s newsletter, we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ thrilling victory over the Boston Celtics, a game that showcased Donovan Mitchell’s exceptional fourth-quarter performance and Darius Garland’s defensive prowess. This win was a crucial response to the Cavs’ recent losses against Atlanta, and we’re here to break down all the key moments and what they mean for the team’s future.
- Donovan Mitchell’s Fourth Quarter Heroics:
- Mitchell was the standout player, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter, making all six of his shots, including four three-pointers.
- His ability to sense the right moments to take charge was pivotal, especially after a series of less impressive games.
- This performance was a testament to his leadership and ability to close out games when it matters most.
- Darius Garland’s Defensive Impact:
- Often targeted as a defensive weak link, Garland stepped up significantly against Boston.
- He was tasked with defending Jason Tatum, one of the league’s top scorers, and held his ground effectively.
- Garland’s physicality and strategic defense were crucial in limiting Boston’s offensive efficiency.
- Team Resilience and Response:
- The Cavs demonstrated resilience by overcoming a 14-point deficit in the second half.
- This victory was a statement win, especially after two disappointing losses to the Hawks.
- The team’s ability to bounce back against a top-tier opponent like Boston highlights their potential as serious contenders.
- Key Plays and Contributions:
- Isaac Okoro’s crucial assist to Evan Mobley in the final moments was a highlight, showcasing his growth and composure under pressure.
- The Cavs’ defensive strategy, including trapping Tatum, forced Boston into less efficient scoring opportunities.
- Looking Ahead:
- The upcoming game against the Washington Wizards is an opportunity for the Cavs to maintain momentum.
- Thursday’s matchup with the Denver Nuggets will be a significant test, offering a chance to further prove their mettle against strong competition.
December 1, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
You’d be forgiven if, a quarter of the way through the season (yes), you haven’t given the following teams that much attention. Maybe your main rooting interest has been struggling, and it’s taken all your psychic energy to will them through the slump. Better yet, maybe your team is thriving and you’ve been enjoying the ride. Maybe you’re still looking for a team to get behind, in which case, the following three franchises would make great options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks being on this list has not alleviated my general wariness of the Hawks as a whole, but they’ve been playing through some of the things that make me doubt them. First, the Hawks love to play up. That is, they tend to excel against technically better and markedly more skilled teams; teams farther along the competitive timeline that I always get they feeling Atlanta would rather emulate than put the work in to be at the same level with.
This season, the Hawks are still playing up — they’ve beat the best in conference Cavaliers twice — but they’re recognizing what should be easy wins, like against the Charlotte Hornets. With Trae Young injured and in and out of the lineup, Atlanta’s bench has provided some of the most needed and entertaining offensive bursts in the league, with De’Andre Hunter back with a vengeance after being out for 10 games with a knee injury. Hunter’s regularly putting up 20-plus points per night, and hounding the glass.
Atlanta has a string of high-low games this week, facing the Pelicans, Bucks, Lakers and Nuggets, which should be an ample test to whether they can play and stay consistent.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Milestone Donovan Mitchell made franchise history during the win against the Celtics. Mitchell’s achievement cements his legacy with the team. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis A miserable free-throw parade ruined the Cavaliers vs. Celtics finish, with suggestions on how the NBA can address this problem. The game underscored flaws in current officiating practices. (CBS Sports)
Milestone Jimmy Butler misses shot so Bam Adebayo can record a triple-double in Heat win (Bleacher Report)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
The Comeback The Cavs were down by 12 points early in the fourth quarter before Donovan Mitchell came to the rescue with a huge performance. That, plus Darius Garland’s defense is why the Cavs were able to beat the Celtics on Sunday night.
No More Vegas Dreams Tough sledding in Atlanta for the Cavs as they struggled to shoot the basketball against the Hawks on Friday afternoon, eliminating themselves from NBA Cup contention.
Clunker at Home Wednesday night’s loss at home to Atlanta was the Cavs first true clunker of a game this season.
