Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell out to torment Magic in rematch
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell finished sixth in balloting for the Eastern Conference All-Star starters, one spot shy of earning the nod.
His quest to be added to the All-Star Game as a reserve continues Monday, when Cleveland welcomes the Orlando Magic in the second half of a home-and-home set.
Mitchell poured in 27 of his game-high 36 points in the second half Saturday, powering the Cavaliers to a 119-105 win at Orlando. He made 15 of 30 field goal attempts in 38 minutes, four more than he is averaging on the season.
"Good decision by the coach," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said, smiling. "I felt like the game was in the balance, so Donovan, we just had to ride him. I usually get him out there in the fourth quarter, but didn't think we had that option.
"He was great at both ends. He didn't conserve himself on defense, and obviously the shot-making was insane."
Mitchell was sixth in voting by the fans, coaches and media in their independent polls, but ranks first in the NBA in second-half scoring with an average of 17.1 points. He also leads the East with 162 3-pointers.
The six-time All-Star has driven the Cavaliers to three straight wins, continuing a push that has seen them go 10-4 since Dec. 29. Cleveland now sits fifth in the conference, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Magic for the final playoff position.
"We just continue to find ways," said Mitchell, who is averaging a career-high 29.1 points, along with 5.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds. "These are the moments you enjoy. We'll see these guys again Monday, so we've got to be ready."
Another positive trend for the Cavaliers is their work on the glass, having outrebounded their foes in six consecutive games, including a 38-37 edge over Orlando. Third-string point guard Lonzo Ball led all players with eight and Evan Mobley had seven.
On the flip side is Cleveland's inability to string wins together in its arena. The Cavaliers are 7-8 in their last 15 home contests and just 15-11 there on the season.
"Obviously, we've had some injuries, but I love how our young guys continue to impress," Atkinson said, singling out second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson. "We're doing it by committee and celebrating our depth. It feels like a collective effort."
The Magic have only played twice in the last seven days -- dropping home games to the Charlotte Hornets and Cavaliers -- following their European trip. Orlando beat the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin but lost to them in London.
Paulo Banchero showed some energy by scoring 27 points and making 10 of 12 free throw attempts against Cleveland, but the team in general appeared fatigued in its third straight double-digit defeat.
The Cavaliers didn't trail in the final three quarters as Moritz Wagner was the only Magic bench player to make more than one basket. Jalen Suggs did have nine points and six assists in his first action since bruising his right medial collateral ligament on Jan. 2.
"It's hard to slow down Donovan Mitchell because he's seen it all," Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. "Obviously, we know him very well and his ability to score at a high clip. Our ability to guard him with multiple bodies is very important."
Though Suggs is expected to play in the rematch, the Magic will not have small forward Franz Wagner for the third game in a row after the pain in his left ankle flared up. He missed six weeks with a high ankle sprain before playing in the overseas games.
Mosley declined to second-guess the decision to have the Berlin native return in his homeland. Wagner is currently not cleared for contact.
"Those are things I'm not looking at," the coach said. "When he thought he could go, he went. And when we thought he could go, he went. Now, we've got to be smart moving forward with him."