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3 things to watch for on Cavs ‘California Dreamin’ road trip

By John Suchan

Nov 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31), forward Lamar Stevens (8), forward Kevin Love (0), forward Caris LeVert (3) and forward Cedi Osman (16) celebrate as they hold a lead in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Allison Farrand-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31), forward Lamar Stevens (8), forward Kevin Love (0), forward Caris LeVert (3) and forward Cedi Osman (16) celebrate as they hold a lead in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Allison Farrand-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

No. 1: Donovan Mitchell continuing his stellar play, upon his return

Mitchell has instantly become the new star of the Cavalier team. Cleveland had a good team last year. It was and still is a makeup of a very young group of players including Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

But, despite their efforts last season, they didn’t have that one guy that could put them on their back and carry them in games. That is what we’ve seen now with Mitchell, who has been outstanding with his all-out efforts.

He has scored more than 30 points in all of his games, outside of two of them. In the recent battle against the New York Knicks, when the team was down by nine going into the fourth quarter, Mitchell helped “will” the Cavs back into the game and win going away. It’s those types of moments that should be fun to watch as the season speeds along.

So now Mitchell and the Cavs hit the California highways. Who will guard Mitchell for example from the Lakers team Sunday? Will James or Russell Westbrook at times be matched up on him, or mostly Patrick Beverley?

The Lakers are struggling and coming to the game with only a 2-6 record. They just lost to the Utah Jazz, who have two former Cleveland players, in Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton that just joined them because of the Mitchell trade earlier in the offseason. These two former Cavs helped the Jazz get by the Lakers Friday night. We’ll have to see if Mitchell is back, regarding an ankle sprain, of course; he’s again currently questionable.

At this point in this young season, it really probably doesn’t matter who guards Mitchell because he’s going to get his shots and points on the night. But, nonetheless, having the opportunity to watch Mitchell work his magic on this trip is worth the price of admission.