Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell Matches Rare Michael Jordan Playoff Feat

Donovan Mitchell erupted for 30 points in the Cavaliers’ 121-100 Game 1 home win over the Miami Heat on Sunday, and some of those moves came with a few remarkable finishes near the rim.

That included a highlight-worthy reverse layup in traffic, a la Michael Jordan.

And speaking of Jordan, Mitchell has now tied the Chicago Bulls legend with seven straight Game 1s with at least 30 points. As they often said about Jordan, that’s some pretty rarified air.

“Just setting the tone, just trying to be aggressive, making the defense have to react to me, pretty much my mindset every time I get out there,” Mitchell said of his approach to Game 1s. “Just taking what the game gives me.”

Of course, you don’t take a 1-0 series lead just on the play of your leader alone. Mitchell had plenty of help from his backcourt running mates, with Ty Jerome coming off the bench to tally 28 points in his first-ever playoff game. Darius Garland tacked on an impressive 27 points and five assists.

It also marked the first time the Cavaliers had three players score 20 or more in the same postseason game.

“We’re a really good team when everybody’s connecting on all cylinders,” Garland said. “Everybody’s touching the ball, feeling it, the ball is moving, attacking closeouts, getting the closeout, throwing the lob, spray-outs. That’s Cavaliers basketball. That’s what we did tonight. We gotta keep doing that for the rest of this series and the rest of the postseason just to be where we want to be.”

Added coach Kenny Atkinson: “I think we played super hard and competitive. But one thing about the Heat, they make you play for 48. I know that’s a cliche, but a lot of teams don’t. You cannot relax. I know the (final) score was 20 or whatever, but it was about a six- or seven-point game there. It will be a battle this series, and that’s a ton of respect for that team over there.”