Cavs need Donovan Mitchell to read the game, not carry every possession

The Cavaliers want Donovan Mitchell to get everyone involved. They also want him to take over when things get tight. Both are reasonable requests, though figuring out when to switch from one to the other isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

That’s part of the discussion after Monday’s 117-112 home loss to the Thunder, when Mitchell finished with 17 points and 11 assists. The Cavs moved the ball, kept their turnovers down and had six players score in double figures.

They also lost. So naturally, the question becomes whether Mitchell should have done more himself.

Chase Brownawell of Cavaliers On SI explored that subject, suggesting the Cavs needed Mitchell to become more aggressive as a scorer with nobody else taking control of the game.

It’s a fair point. Mitchell is their best scorer, and there are possessions when getting him a good shot should be the entire objective. Moving the ball is great. Moving it without creating anything better than what Mitchell could have produced himself doesn’t necessarily help.

But I wouldn’t take this as evidence that Mitchell is confused about his role or that the Cavs need to rethink the offense.

Against the Bucks on Saturday, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen combined for 52 points. Mitchell didn’t need to force his way into that arrangement. Letting the big men keep going was exactly the right decision.

Monday required some different decisions, particularly late. That doesn’t mean the approach was wrong from the start.

The Cavs finished with 31 assists and just eight turnovers against the Thunder. You generally take those numbers. They suggest a team finding teammates and protecting possessions, two things that tend to give you a chance.

Then again, the Cavs missed 10 free throws and allowed 15 offensive rebounds. Mitchell and James Harden combined to go 2-of-7 at the line. Before we decide the answer was a different offensive philosophy, there were some fairly available points and possessions left out there.

This is where Kenny Atkinson comes in. The Cavs should be able to involve Mobley and Allen, use Harden’s playmaking and still get Mitchell the ball where he can do damage late. Those things can work together.

Brownawell’s larger question is worth asking because the Cavs are still searching for that balance. But the answer can’t simply be that Mitchell needs to shoot more every time they lose. Some nights, the pass is the right play. Other nights, he needs to recognize that it’s time to go get a basket.

At 4-3, the Cavs have plenty to clean up. I’d start with finishing defensive possessions and making free throws, while giving Mitchell and Atkinson time to sort through the rest.

There’s another game against the Thunder on Wednesday. A few better decisions would help. So would doing the ordinary stuff they already know they need to do.

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