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Donovan Mitchell makes up for late-game blunders, leads Cleveland Cavaliers to 117-107 overtime win in home opener

Cleveland, Ohio — 6 months.it’s been that long since then cleveland cavaliers Played meaningful games inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It was worth the wait.

suspense. Drama. Agony. Frustration. joy. Sunday’s game is all set. It was equally thrilling and perplexing. When it finally all came down to it, the Cavaliers had a hard-fought 117-107 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards.

For the second game in a row, the Cavs had another sleepy start before settling in. Perhaps it was a heavy leg to play his second night in a row following the time zone change. It could have been both.

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t the start anyone wanted.

The Cavaliers lost 8-0 after just two minutes. In the first quarter he was down double digits at 7:40. But just like the night before in Chicago, the young Cavaliers trailed behind a new leader, Donovan his Mitchell. Donovan his Mitchell had a few lazy blunders in the closing stages of the game that nearly jeopardized Mitchell’s glorious home debut.

“I’m more calm than that. It shouldn’t be,” Mitchell said. “I should have got home an hour ago.My head is right there. I promise I’m only thinking about finding a way to be, but I wasn’t, I’m better than that and I’ll be better than that.

In the final 40 seconds, Mitchell turned the ball over twice, both times leading to the Wizards’ buckets to tie at 103. Padded scorer’s table.

He then attempted redemption.

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With 25.9 seconds remaining, Bickerstaff called timeout to regroup. He designed plays for star players. Mitchell drove right, swaying a defender, creating a separation, retreating behind the 3-point line, and hitting a potential game-winning shot.

A sold-out crowd waiting to erupt. Mitchell holding the release high. His first signature moment as a cavalier spinning in the air while the camera flashes.

crank.

Mitchell’s jumper bounced behind the rim, causing the buzzer to go off while the two teams fought over the loose ball.

Had to wait for Mitchell’s moment. Not very long. Mitchell, and the Cavs, thrived in OT.

Trailing 106-105 with about two minutes remaining, Mitchell made a blistering drive to the basket and gave Cleveland a two-point advantage on a timely And-1.

On the next possession, Mitchell intercepted an improper pass from Bradley Beal and ignited a fastbreak, only for Cedi Osman to rotate on a reverse layup and get fouled. Just like that, the Cavaliers got off the mat and took a 5-point lead. They didn’t look back and outscored Washington 14-4 in that five-minute period.

“He just has faith. He’s confident in himself. And we believe in him, he knows it,” Bickerstaff said of Mitchell. has done it before.He’s the type of guy who doesn’t want to let his teammates down.He took it upon himself to get something done.It gives them faith too.Adversity. make them feel like they can overcome the odds because they know he will be there to help them get through and get through the tough times. Our group will always be a resilient group They’ve always been a group that’s stuck together, through good times and bad, and they’ve gotten through things and they’ve gotten stronger.”

Mitchell scored a game-high 37 points. He became the third player in NBA history, after Glenn Robinson (2002-03 Atlanta Hawks) and Wilt Chamberlain (1959-60 Warriors), to record his 30-plus points in each of his first three games. Earned. Mitchell also set a franchise record for three straight games of at least 30 points to start the season. His first three points total surpassed franchise legend Austin Kerr, more than any Cavalier.

Five other players have achieved double digits. Osman (16 points), Jarrett Allen (15), Dean Wade (12), Caris Levert (10) and Evan Mobley (10).

MVP chants echoed throughout the arena as Mitchell stepped to the free-throw line in the second half of extra time to try and secure the win, spreading just minutes earlier when Mitchell fumbled for the ball twice. Replaced gasping. What a memorable home debut for Cleveland’s newest star.

From hero to goat to hero again. Welcome to Cleveland.

getting better

All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who has missed two games in a row with a lacerated left eye, was in the arena on Sunday night. Introduced on the video board.

When the game started, he was sitting on the bench alongside his teammates. Before the game, coach JB his Bickerstaff said Garland was “doing well”.

“I had swelling, so I had to wait until it subsided,” Bickerstaff said. “If you keep his eyes open, he can see. That’s obviously a good thing. But that’s going to take time and we’ll have to wait and see how the swelling clears up.” .

special visitor

Cavaliers president Dan Gilbert emerged from the tunnel just before the start of the second half and took his courtside seat to watch the remaining two quarters and the OT among the backers.

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The Cavaliers will have a few days off before the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.Tip off is set for 7pm

Cavaliers Fanatics Earnings 2021

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