Donovan Mitchell kept scoring points, but it didn’t help the Cleveland Cavaliers close the gap. On the other hand, Jayson Tatum, despite struggling, couldn’t stop the Celtics from extending their lead.
Mitchell led all scorers with 33 points in the Cavaliers’ 120-95 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jaylen Brown contributed 32 points, and Derrick White added 25 for Boston to compensate for Tatum’s tough night, where he missed all five of his attempts from 3-point range.
“Jaylen Brown’s skills have earned him an All-NBA status. He’s a valuable player,” Mitchell remarked. “This isn’t the first time he’s scored 30 points against someone.”
It wasn’t a new feat for Mitchell either; he scored over 30 points for the third consecutive game and the sixth time in a playoff series opener, joining the ranks of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain.
However, despite Mitchell’s impressive performance and extended playing time, it wasn’t enough for the Cavaliers, who had to push through seven games to defeat Orlando in the first round.
“We aim to keep him on the court for as long as possible,” stated Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “We understand his impact. But we won’t overwork him, ensuring he has energy left for the fourth quarter.”
Mitchell, who netted 89 points in Games 6 and 7 against the Magic, played over 20 minutes in the first half and the entire third quarter. However, when he took a break at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Boston went on a 10-2 run, extending their 92-77 lead to a 23-point margin.
“I know I have to contribute offensively,” Mitchell acknowledged, later stating, “I have faith in my teammates.”
Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 17 points and 13 rebounds, but the bench only scored 15 points. Tatum scored 18 points, shooting 7 for 19 from the field, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Jrue Holiday contributed 14 points, while Peyton Pritchard added 16 points off the bench.
“We were aware of what we were up against,” Mitchell remarked. “That’s just their style. They have various players who can step up. So, it’s not surprising. If it’s not JT, it could be JB, D-White, Jrue Holiday. They’ve demonstrated that all season. So, it’s not discouraging or frustrating. I respect the players on the court.”
