Behind Donovan Mitchell's impressive 29-point performance, the Cavaliers dominate the Celtics with a decisive 118-94 victory, leveling the series at one game each.
In a remarkable display of skill, Donovan Mitchell drained a 3-pointer from well beyond the arc, punctuating his performance with a nonchalant shrug as he retreated on defense. Mitchell's scoring prowess continued with two more baskets in the paint, extending the Cleveland Cavaliers' lead to 16 points.
"Sometimes, you get lucky," remarked Mitchell, reflecting on his stellar 29-point contribution that propelled the Cavaliers to a commanding 118-94 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. "Shooters shoot."
Following their 25-point defeat in the series opener, the Cavaliers delivered a resounding response, overpowering the top-seeded Celtics on their home turf to level the Eastern Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. With Games 3 and 4 scheduled in Cleveland on Saturday and Monday, both teams brace for intensified competition.
"We anticipated an improved performance from them, and they certainly delivered," noted Celtics center Al Horford. "Their response was impressive, and we failed to match it."
While Mitchell had tallied 33 points in the opening game, his efforts were bolstered by a lack of support. However, in Thursday's matchup, the Cavaliers' All-Star guard displayed remarkable versatility, distributing the ball with precision in the first half before unleashing a scoring barrage in the second. With 16 points in the third quarter and a commanding presence in the fourth, Mitchell's dazzling performance included a trio of consecutive baskets, including a remarkable 28-footer off the glass.
“I hadn’t shot much, trying to find ways to get guys involved early, and picking my spots. I was just continuing to find ways to apply pressure on them,” said Mitchell, who finished with eight assists and seven rebounds.
"In the second half, it was about scoring," he stated. "Sometimes it's about assists. Sometimes it's about rebounds. Whatever the team needs. And when the time came, I knew I had to step up, obviously, and start shooting."
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 25 points, while Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points. However, Derrick White, who had scored 25 points in Game 1, struggled in Game 2, managing only 10 points and missing seven of his eight 3-point attempts.
With this victory, the Cavaliers ensured themselves of at least a fifth game back in Boston on Wednesday. Having secured their first road win of the postseason, they have demonstrated their ability to succeed on the road.
"When we execute our defense at the level we did tonight, and our shots are falling, it's a winning formula that translates anywhere," emphasized Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Evan Mobley continued his impressive postseason performance with 21 points and 10 rebounds, securing his third consecutive double-double and fifth of the playoffs. Caris LeVert contributed 21 points off the bench for Cleveland, including a crucial pull-up jumper in the fourth quarter that widened the Cavaliers' lead to 20 points, prompting some fans to head for the exits. The remaining spectators voiced their frustration with boos as the game slipped further out of reach.
In the closing minutes, with Cleveland comfortably ahead by 25 points, tensions rose as LeVert converted a layup and drew a flagrant foul from Tatum. With the game effectively out of reach, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla opted to empty his bench.
Bickerstaff soon followed suit, providing some rest for Donovan Mitchell, who had played a game-high 37 minutes in the previous contest. Although Mitchell remained on the bench during a 10-2 run by the Celtics at the start of the fourth quarter, he had already made a significant impact, knocking down four of his five 3-point attempts in the third quarter to help Cleveland build a substantial lead. Mitchell remained in the game until the Cavaliers secured a commanding 27-point advantage with four minutes remaining.
"At halftime, I was determined to stay in the game," Mitchell remarked. "I had no intention of taking a break. When asked if I needed one, I confidently replied, 'I'm good.'"
According to ESPN, the Cavaliers' 24-point victory marked the largest playoff win by a double-digit underdog since 1991.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis remained sidelined for the third consecutive game due to a strained calf muscle. Evan Mobley assumed the starting center role in place of Jarrett Allen, who has missed the past five games with bruised ribs, and achieved a career-high playoff scoring performance.
Mobley got off to a strong start with 11 points in the first quarter, as the Cavaliers initially fell behind by nine points, hinting at another potential blowout. However, Cleveland rallied with an 11-0 run, led by eight points from Caris LeVert. Despite Boston taking an eight-point lead in the second quarter, the Cavaliers managed to tie the game at halftime.
At the halfway mark, Jayson Tatum had tallied 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Mobley contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
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