Watching Donovan Mitchell drop 50 points in a series-clinching game against the Orlando Magic was exactly why the Cleveland Cavaliers moved heaven and earth to acquire him. Especially when it's clear that this young Cavs team still isn't as battle-tested, and when things got tight they failed to meet Mitchell at the summit.
All of Cleveland's 18 fourth-quarter points were scored by Mitchell. Evan Mobley, who was starting at center in place of injured big man Jarrett Allen, only had two points on 1-5 shooting. Darius Garland started the game red hot – scoring 14 points on 7-10 shooting. But in the second half, when things were tighter, Garland faded – only chipping in seven points while Mitchell poured in 31.
“Donovan’s one of the best players in the world,” Max Strus said following the game. “He carried us and competed his a— off. We know we’re all dealing with stuff right now. He pushed through it. Hopefully, we can find ways to help him on Sunday.”
Can the Cavs close out this series?
If the Cavs had won, Mitchell's efforts would have gone down as one of the franchise's all-time great moments. Instead, Mitchell’s best wasn’t good enough — and Cleveland headed home from Orlando with a plethora of questions that loom over a Game 7 that they forced themselves into.
“We’ll be ready for the moment,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Our guys have been really good at home, and we don’t expect that to change.”
Sure, Cleveland is undefeated at home against Orlando in this series. But, when things are about to be at their emotional height, can the Cavs close out this series even if they're within the friendly confines of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse?
Well, it cannot just be Mitchell's heroics that seal the deal – Game 6 more than shows that. Cleveland needs Garland to remain aggressive in scoring the basketball, shouldering the responsibility with Mitchell. If both Mitchell and Garland are rolling in harmony, the Cavs become hard to contain on offense. It trickles down to everyone else, opening things up on offense and forcing the Magic to move all over the court to try and defend everything.
Injuries continue to hinder Cavs ahead of Game 7
But outside of Garland, more importantly, things might depend on how healthy Cleveland is in Game 7, just like it has all season.
Allen, who Mobley started in place of, missed his second straight game with a bruised rib that is making it difficult to lift his arms. Cleveland's big man has been the Cavs' most consistently effective player, dishing out just as much physicality as the Magic have been giving.
But if Allen is unable to go, and considering the sensitivity of a rib injury it's unlikely that he plays, then can Mobley shake off a poor offensive performance in Game 6? Unfortunately, Mobley is dealing with an injury of his own after he rolled his ankle while trying to finish around the rim in the first half.
Mobley spent the remainder of the second quarter talking with trainers and using a lime-green-colored exercise band to stretch his ankle and was able to return to action for the second half. Regardless, after the game, Mobley was spotted walking around the locker room with a clear limp, showing that he likely won't be 100% physically with such a quick turnaround between Game 6 and Game 7.
Unfortunately, there's no sympathy for the weary and Orlando has nothing to lose heading into Game 7. Cleveland, meanwhile, has everything to lose. Considering that they still have to wash off the stink of last year's playoff exit and the future of the team as it currently stands could be in limbo, the Cavs cannot let the Magic smell any blood in the water. Thankfully, they are playing Game 7 in Cleveland, which could be the deciding factor in whether or not the Cavs survive and advance.
“I’m excited to see Cleveland in a Game 7,” Mitchell said. “It’s going to be fun. Cleveland, let’s do it.”
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