CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Cavaliers shake off an emotional hangover just in time.
Two nights after Donovan Mitchell’s historic performance, Cleveland looked exhausted and lethargic for most of the game. But as they’ve done all season, they kept fighting and found their way in the 4th quarter, where he beat the Phoenix Suns 90-88.
Cavs Featured Stories
The Cavaliers missed nine shots in a row to start the game. They didn’t score their first field goal until the 5:38 mark in the first quarter. They went 0 out of 14 until they started from a 3-point range. In a dreadful first half, they scored just 33 points on 28.9% shooting and 15.8% on 3-point range.
The offense picked up a bit in the second half, but the Cavs won Wednesday’s game on the defensive end.
“Our offense was clearly struggling, but we didn’t give in,” Cavaliers manager JB Bickerstaff said after the win. “We continue to compete on the defensive side of the floor, so we gave ourselves a chance, and that’s what you have to do.
Cleveland held Phoenix to 88 points on 39.5% shooting and 35.7% shooting. Even though he was trailing by five heading into the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers turned up the heat and overwhelmed the short-handed Suns even more in the fourth quarter. In his 12 minutes into the fourth quarter, Cleveland limited the Suns to his 24 points, 8 of 23 (34.8%) and he shot 2 of 6 (33%) from deep.
The Cavaliers won a decisive quarter, 31-24.
Caesars Ohio$1,500bet on caesars
Ohio Launch Offer
It was a commanding encore for Mitchell, who scored a franchise-high 71 points against Chicago in overtime Monday. Mitchell scored just 20 on 6-of-20 from the field and 3-of-12 from deep in 36 minutes. But the superstar gave it his best until the end, and he hit a clutch 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Cavs an 88-85 lead. This is the first lead of the second half.
Suns shooting guard Landry Shamet answered, tying the game at 88. On the ensuing possession, Mitchell drove to the left of the lane and the clock slowed to find youngster Evan Mobley on the go-ahead 14-footer.
Like many other games this season, Cleveland needed one stop. all right. Also. Accurately predicting the Suns’ final set piece, Mitchell harassed Suns swingman Michal Bridges, causing him to miss the buzzer.
Bridges was only in 3 of 15 shots taken on Monday night. The Suns didn’t have Devin Booker out with a groin strain. Phoenix also lost his pain to backup his guard Cameron in the first half. Payne was unable to finish due to a foot injury. Veteran Point His guard Chris his pole tried to pick up the slack on the balanced Phoenix.
Caris LeVert paved the way for the Cavs. He scored his 21 points, including nine of his 11 for the team’s first to start the fourth quarter, shocking the crowd and spurring the rally. Called.
Little-used reserve guard Raul Neto chipped in with 14 points and sparked the second half with lazy hustle plays and timely shot-making.
Bickerstaff said of Neto, “It was very impactful. ‘His ability to pick up guys on a full court, get the deflection, move his legs, keep people in front of him and confuse them. There was a time when we were struggling aggressively where he found a way to get a bucket. He was huge to us.”
Cedi Osman added 12 as the Cleveland bench ended the game with a 34-14 scoring edge.
Mobley returned after missing two games due to a sore right ankle. He finished with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and his first career game winner.
“I just made the shot at that moment,” Mobley said of the jumper. was”
Darius Garland has missed three games in a row with a right thumb sprain.
Before the game, Bickerstaff called the emotional hangover “real”. After a memorable Monday, he knew the Cavaliers had to come home with a win.
At various points it seemed to go from high to low, but only 48 hours.
It might have been uncool. But that’s the way the stingy Cavaliers prefer. A win is a win.
“I wish we could win every game by 20 points,” said Bickerstaff. “But the competition of having to do small things over and over, the competition of having to accept individual challenges, the competition of having to accept team challenges, the competition of having to throw it away and fight, that’s the purity of competition. If you have that grit, you will surely find a way to accomplish it.”
next
The Cavaliers begin their longest road trip left this season. Friday night in Denver he starts against the Nuggets.Tip off is set for 9pm
If you or a loved one have questions about gambling and need to speak to a professional, contact the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Council of National Program Gambling Helplines (NCPG) at 1-800-589-9966. 800-522). 4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. Must be 21+ and live in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.