The Cavs Core Four: Evaluating their Game 3 performances

Caris LeVert and Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Donovan Mitchell’s Game 3

On the surface, Donovan Mitchell’s stats do not look too bad: 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, seven rebounds, and five assists. However, he finished with six turnovers and only shot 2-for-8 from three-point range. He also had a -19 in the plus/minus department. While he did have some nice drives to the basket, Mitchell was largely rattled when driving to the paint and having multiple Knicks defenders waiting for him.

Mitchell was largely underwhelming on a night when the Cavaliers needed him to rise above and be the best player on the court. He looked forward to his homecoming as the latest villain of New York, but he fell flat on the court. He failed to do his job for the first time in this series and it cost the Cavs.

With that said, I expect Mitchell to bounce back. He is the best player in this series and one of the best postseason performers in the NBA. One bad game should not phase him.

The Cavs are going to need him to tap into his postseason superpowers if they want to take back homecourt and tie this series back up at 2-2.