I'm sure this has been said but the key was Mitchell getting some help. Isaac Okoro was a +24 - highest on the team. His defense was exceptional; Banchero missed 18 shots. Strus had 13 points and was a +10. He was the primary defender on Franz Wagner who was an embarassing 1-for-15. Now he's got all summer to stew about that.
LeVert was huge with 15/5/4. Two nights ago he played seven minutes, airballed a free throw, and was benched the rest of the game. Today he was possibly the key as Garland had a bad game and LeVert played 30 minutes.
Merrill had 8 points in 11 minutes, not missing a shot and he also drew a charge. Even Thompson, who played just seven minutes, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.
With Allen and Wade out the Cavs needed everybody to contribute - not a lot, but something. And a lot of guys came up with something.
Garland had a rough game but hit a huge 3 in the 4th and then stole an inbounds pass and made a 2. With the way Mitchell was tearing it up all we needed was some nickels and dimes from everybody else.
The biggest thing was the way the team didn't give up when down 47-29 and under five minutes left in the half. No big runs, they just executed over and over and over until they had outscored the Magic 77-47 the rest of the way. Plus 30 in the last 29 minutes.
It was like watching an arm wrestling match where one guy is losing but inch by inch he works his way back to neutral and then slowly forces his opponents' arm down. The Cavaliers were relentless.
How do we find ways to continually be relentless? I have no doubt that will show up. I have no doubt Cleveland will show up. - Donovan Mitchell
