Look for Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell to get back on track heading into 2023

In the past two contests, Donovan Mitchell hasn’t been the offensive force he’s proven to be in the vast majority of games so far this season. In his first year with the Cleveland Cavaliers following his trade acquisition this offseason from the Utah Jazz, he’s been even better than one could’ve anticipated.

On the year, Mitchell has put up career-bests in points per game (28.5) and three-point shooting percentage (41.8), and he’s been fourth in made three-point shots (119). Mitchell’s offensive repetoire has often taken center stage, with his range, handle, change-of-pace, finishing and playmaking abilities leaving Cavs fans in awe regularly.

Mitchell is one of the primary reasons for Cleveland’s strong play, and his stellar play should have him in the MVP conversation.

That being said, there have still naturally been some clunkers here and there for Mitchell, which is understandable, particularly in a new situation. In the past two games, Mitchell has been off, too, as he was only four-of-16 from the field versus the Toronto Raptors last Friday and 5-of-16 versus the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. In those outings, he had 12 and 15 points, and was three-of-12 and three-of-nine from three, and Cleveland lost both games, and was playing catch-up from the jump, such as on Monday.

In the two remaining games ahead for the Cavs to close out 2022, though, one should expect Mitchell to step up and show out, and for Cleveland to rebound.

Fans should look for Mitchell to get back on track heading into the turn of the year to 2023.

On Thursday night, the Cavaliers have their second matchup with the Indiana Pacers, with this time being a road tilt against Tyrese Haliburton (provided he plays), Buddy Hield and company.

In the first meeting between these Central Divison foes of the season on Dec. 16, the Cavs roared back in the fourth quarter, thanks in large part due to Mitchell having 18 of his then-41 points in the final stanza to dump Indy, who controlled things for much of the contest. The Pacers had a 13-point advantage in the fourth then, for context, before the Cavaliers would prevail 118-112.

This is a game where the Cavs have to get out to a better start, given their road inconsistencies, and with that in mind, one should look for Mitchell to get things going from the jump. As we expressed, in Cleveland’s past two games against the uber-aggressive Raptors’ perimeter defense and in that loss to the Nets, Mitchell wasn’t able to establish a consistent rhythm.

He did make some plays as a playmaking presence, but if Mitchell can get to the rim and knock in a couple of threes early on Thursday at Indiana, it should pay dividends for the rest of the team as the game progresses. It’d take pressure off of Darius Garland as well, and if Mitchell can get things started off well, perhaps that could help out the likes of Evan Mobley, too, a guy who Cleveland should feature more here.

From there, Mitchell could be primed to get rolling at the Chicago Bulls on New Year’s Eve on Saturday evening as well. Whether or not Alex Caruso (concussion protocol, shoulder sprain) plays, Mitchell could be primed for another nice start, and as a counter to that, Cleveland could get Kevin Love, Caris LeVert and the bench going from Mitchell drives or pick-and-roll sequences.

Chicago has more established players than Indiana, however, they’re not the same without Lonzo Ball defensively, and the Bulls have been fairly disappointing overall at 15-19. If the Cavaliers can stay the course in that contest, and limit Chicago’s transition looks, Mitchell and the Wine and Gold could generate their share of quality shots possession-to-possession, and create some big runs as the game wears on against a Bulls team that’s been 8-8 at home.

One should foresee Donovan finishing out the calendar year on a high note as we move to 2023, and the season’s second half approaches.