Cleveland can thank Donovan Mitchell! Getting off to a bad start in only Game 7 of the first round of these 2024 playoffs, the Cavs were able to count on the success of their franchise player to snatch victory against Orlando.
It all started badly for the Cavs, who conceded a gap of up to 18 points in a one-sided first half. The Floridians first made the hole via a 13-0 launched by 3-pointers from Paolo Banchero twice, Wendell Carter Jr. and concluded by the alley-oop between Jalen Suggs and Carter Jr (10-20). Clumsy from a distance (0/9 to start), the Cavs then had to digest a new run, with a 9-0 then a new hot shot at 3-points from Orlando, with the Carter Jr-Harris pair to pass the gap at +18 (29-47).
Backed by the wall, Cleveland began its comeback shortly before the break, taking advantage of the walk and the offensive foul from Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. to regain some energy. The Mitchell-Okoro-Levert trio then brought the Cavs back below 10 points, with a 3-pointer from Sam Merrill keeping his team alive at the break (43-53).
The Cavaliers turn everything around after the break
After having had a close brush with corrections, JB Bickerstaff's men then showed a completely different face when they returned from the locker room, led by a raging Donovan Mitchell! The guard multiplied his bursts to tirelessly bring his team back, scoring 17 points in the period. It was he who scored the baskets that gave hope to an entire franchise. It was also he who equalized at 64-64 with a floater with the foul as a bonus.
At his side, “Spida” was able to count on Caris Levert to put his team in the lead from the free throw line after an 11-3 (66-4), and on the composure of Max Strus to plant two 3-point arrows on the wing, allowing the locals to finish the third quarter at +8 (76-68)!
It remained to complete this Magic for good, which was no easy task. But Paolo Banchero's furious dunk and Wendell Carter Jr's 2+1 were not enough to worry Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell stayed the course with a 3-pointer then a serve for Darius Garland's 3-pointer, before adding valuable points with free throws. Darius Garland then finished the job with four more points, an interception and a defensive rebound, ensuring a calm end to the match for the fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (106-94). It’s time for Boston for the conference semi-final!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Donovan Mitchell brought the Cavs back to life. Failing in attack in the first half (3/13), Donovan Mitchell remained aggressive, working to increase the number of drives to end up getting the better of the Florida defense. What followed was a demonstration during which the former Jazz back completely changed the situation. Author of 17 of his 39 points in the third quarter, he finished in full confidence like his 3-pointer at the top of the racket to get the last act off to a good start. A real “franchise player” match, in a Game 7 to save his team from a misstep at home.
– Cleveland competed on defense. The Cavs displayed an iron defense to stop the Magic in the third quarter and take Orlando to its own game. Limited to 15 points in a third quarter that changed everything, they then suffered against a Donovan Mitchell untenable. The defensive highlights in favor of Cleveland were numerous, between Evan Mobley's five blocks, Darius Garland's three interceptions including one at the very end of the match which almost sealed the fate of the match, and the brilliant shots repeated from Isaac Okoro, a true defensive leader who also gave of himself to disrupt Franz Wagner and his teammates.
– Orlando leaves with honors. The Magic players pushed Cleveland to a Game 7 for their first experience in the playoffs. The series could even have tilted in their favor in Game 5, lost by a small point. In the end, Orlando will have been too short in this second half, but can leave the playoffs with their heads held high, with the assurance of having a solid base to progress, even if some shooting wouldn't hurt…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
