Dribbles: Took Longer Than Hoped, But Donovan Mitchell, Cavs Push Through

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 117-107 overtime win over the visiting Wizards on Sunday night.

1. We knew it when the Cavs made the trade — Donovan Mitchell is good. But based on the first three games, man, good is an understatement.

2. We haven’t seen a guy who can put the entire team on his back and lift it to a win, all while playing unselfishly, since You Know Who. On Sunday, Mitchell was at his best.

3. He now has more points (100) than anyone in franchise history through the first three games, passing Cavs legend and analyst Austin Carr (90) in the process. 

4. Interestingly, though, it was the points Mitchell sort of gave away that he seemed to remember most.

5. Mitchell made a couple of ballhandling errors late in the fourth quarter that resulted in a couple of steals and scores by Wizards star Bradley Beal. Then Mitchell missed a shot to win it at the end of regulation. At that point, he had already played 40 of 48 minutes.

6. Clearly, he demanded more of himself. “I apologize for keeping you guys here. We should have been home an hour ago,” he said, smiling. 

7. No matter, Mitchell finished with 37 points, and we all know the Cavs never would have had a chance had it not been for him. 

8. And it’s about more than the 37 points. That is just Mitchell putting the ball in the basket. He actually does so much more. It’s not necessarily that Mitchell scores — it’s how and when he scores.

9. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff: “It’s just a determination to help the team win, the ability to pick his spots, the leadership. It’s a needed 37. It’s not empty. We needed every one of them.”

10. Overall, the Cavs looked a little rugged after playing the night before, and winning big, in Chicago. They traveled home late Saturday, while the Wizards had been sitting in Cleveland, just waiting. So it’s not necessarily a huge surprise the Cavs surrendered a 15-point lead.

11. Jarrett Allen was also huge with 15 points, 14 rebounds and a couple of massive swats. Cedi Osman scored 16 off the bench, and he has been very good, very important in the first three games.

12. Let’s not forget Caris LeVert, either. He has been a little out of sorts offensively, but he’s not letting that get him down — facilitating, defending, playing with energy. 

13. Bickerstaff on LeVert: “He’ll find his rhythm offensively. What we’re asking him to do is different for him.”

14. Dean Wade added 12 points, and it only took him four shots to do it. Evan Mobley struggled, but still scored 10. Keep in mind that all of this is still new to Mitchell, and actually the rest of the Cavs. They are only three games in to integrating a three-time All-Star into the lineup.

15. And they’ve had to do it without Darius Garland (eye). This is far from a finished project. But it looks good so far, no?

16. Mitchell on the victory: “That’s a mental win. I don’t think there was a time in the huddle where we felt down. I think that’s a testament to this group. Our mental fortitude.”

17. Mitchell was the recipient of the Cavs’ Junkyard Dog award, proudly sporting the chain around his neck after the game. He also said he heard and appreciated the “MVP” chants from the crowd.

18. Meanwhile, Garland was in fact in the building for the home opener, hanging out on the bench and sporting sunglasses to shield his left eye laceration. Prior to the game, Bickerstaff said Garland is in high spirits, though “frustrated” that he can’t play. “He’s watching out of his one good eye,” Bickerstaff said.

19. Garland can see out of the eye when it is opened. That’s the good news. The bad is that the eye is still swollen to the point where it needs to be forced open. With that in mind, he could be out another week.

20. Bickerstaff on Garland: “He’s doing better. There’s swelling, so got to wait until the swelling goes down. When you hold his eye open, he can see. So that’s obviously a good thing. But it’s just going to take time, and we just have to wait and see.

21. Beal led the Wizards with 27 points, though the Cavs forced him into some rushed shots and six turnovers. It’s good to see him back after missing the second part of last season with a knee injury. The Wizards (2-1) have an underrated cast.

22. As relayed here, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert watched the game from his courtside seat on the baseline. Gilbert suffered a stroke in May 2019.

This is a man who’s livin’ right. pic.twitter.com/x8ZotDgXNV

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) October 24, 2022