5 takeaways from the Cavs’ win over the Pacers on Friday
No. 5: Donovan Mitchell’s fourth quarter mastery
As the picture looked dire and the group’s supporters grew anxious in the stands, Spida went nuclear. He matched Indiana’s scoring output of 18 points but on five-out-of-six shooting. On the left wing, he forced a switch against Isaiah Jackson, took a step back triple, and hit nylon for his sixth 3-point make of the night.
Allen caught the ball at the nail and quickly dished to a curling Mitchell at the top of the key. Aaron Nesmith closed out too aggressively on the catch, and #45 cut left, avoiding a reach by T.J. McConnell. At the rim, he met Jackson on his right side, but he shielded the ball by finishing with his left and using his opposite shoulder as protection.
His seventh triple came from Cleveland’s ball movement in transition. LeVert dribbled past the point of attack defense and lured two of Indiana’s helpers. He then flicked a pass to Mobley, standing in the dunker spot, and he dished it back to Mitchell on the right wing for the catch-and-release.
With the Cavaliers down five points and six minutes left, Donovan isolated Buddy Hield in the left corner and burned him with a crossover, opening up the baseline. Nesmith got up for a solid contest inside the restricted area, but it was not enough. Mitchell let it go on the way down after a double-clutch to create space in the air for a shot that made the crowd roar.
On his last 3-point make of the evening, Spida went one-on-one with Nesmith on the left wing. He created the space he needed by jabbing with his right foot.
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His cover took the bait, and stepped back, but was too late on the contest.