Game Thread | Game #38 | Bulls @ Cavs | Jan. 2, 2023

[jjvors]

Mitchell scored or assisted on 99 points. The most since Wilt's 100 point game.

 

[cavsfever]

This was a “remember where you were when…” game. Did anyone attend in person?

 

[jjvors]

Cavs dominate the NBA stat board, thanks to Mitchell. And Love, who was great at rebounding, as usual.

POINTS​

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1.	Donovan MitchellCLE	71
2.	DeMar DeRozanCHI	44
3.	LeBron JamesLAL	43
4.	Joel EmbiidPHI	42
5.	Luka DoncicDAL	39

REBOUNDS​

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1.	Kevin LoveCLE	17
2.	Aaron GordonDEN	16
2.	Julius RandleNYK	16
4.	Thomas BryantLAL	15
5.	Mason PlumleeCHA	14

ASSISTS​

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1.	Kevin DurantBKN	11
1.	Donovan MitchellCLE	11
3.	Nikola JokicDEN	9
3.	Ben SimmonsBKN	9
5.	Kyle AndersonMIN	8

THREE POINTERS MADE​

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1.	Donovan MitchellCLE	7
2.	Tim Hardaway Jr.DAL	5
2.	CJ McCollumNOP	5
2.	Georges NiangPHI	5
2.	Gary Trent Jr.TOR	5

FREE THROWS MADE​

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1.	Donovan MitchellCLE	20
2.	Luka DoncicDAL	18
3.	LeBron JamesLAL	11
4.	DeMar DeRozanCHI	10
4.	Joel EmbiidPHI	10

FANTASY POINTS​

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1.	Donovan MitchellCLE	96.1
2.	DeMar DeRozanCHI	67.6
3.	LeBron JamesLAL	65.2
4.	Joel EmbiidPHI	64.7
5.	Luka DoncicDAL	64.4

 

[MirORich]

Mitchell scored or assisted on 99 points. The most since Wilt's 100 point game.

So in other words, the second highest points responsible for game in NBA history?

Wow

 

[Dr. Claw]

Man, there are no words to describe this game that has already been said.

71. Broke the scoring record in regulation with 58. 11 assists. After a first half of the team playing like ASS.

I was ready to say "GGs" with about 2 minutes left in the game.

The inaugural season of Donovan Mitchell has been unforgettable thus far.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

The Cavs had 15. Donovan had 11. Allen had the other bucket.

Donovan had 13 in OT

 

[jjvors]

Donovan had 13 in OT

Yeah, I just caught that and edited my post. Thanks.

 

[cavsfever]

The real problem with Lauri, EVEN at the Small Forward spot, is that he can’t guard the big wings like Tatum, etc because they’re too good and he can’t guard down in size because the guys are too quick.

So if his ONLY defensive spot is at the 3, yeah he was covered up by Mobley and Allen to all extent, but we still struggled with what to do long term at the 3 even after his effective year there last season.

I’m glad he’s found a situation in Utah that will quickly turn into a young developmental situation and they can build an entire team with his strengths in mind, but in my estimation with Lauri, he still needs to play as essentially the 5 defensively, but basically needs to do it next to like..an Anthony Davis type inside. He needs to have the responsibilities defensively of chasing around a 3 and D wing, while not taking up the spot on the court that defends the best players on the other team…Because he hurts your versatility too much defensively at the 3 and especially if you don’t have two elite switchable bigs like we do…but unless you think it’s best to put Mobley on the perimeter to guard guys like Tatum 1v1 all game(it’s not…it neutralizes so many of his other special defensive traits). His best defensive ability is honestly defending guys off the ball and helping contest inside with length but not as a primary help defender and certainly not as the primary rim protector.

I’m as big of a Markannen fan as you’ll find and his contract is a straight bargain. The Cavs are t going to convey very good picks to Utah either. They’re going to be in the 20s. All of them. IMO. And the swaps won’t be used

But Mitchell is a true star. He can win titles as the best guy like Wade did in 2006. He’s just that good. If you’re in Cleveland and you can get that guy locked up on a 3 year deal and he’s excited to come play there? Gotta do it. Would have loved to keep Lauri but I still think we’d be looking for a 3.

I don’t know I thought the Triple Towers worked well defensively last year, because Allen and Mobley are so flexible. You saw it even with Allen in how he defended DeRozan today.

I do definitely agree (and how could you not after tonight, but it showed even earlier this year) that Mitchell has turned out to be that kind of special championship-level superstar that a top team needs. At another level. Lauri is not that clearly, but what a complementary player he’s showing himself to be. What torments me about the trade is whether we could have preserved an additional asset, ideally Lauri, because it feels like we are still a player away in the construction of this team and I’m not sure how we get them with the cupboard bare. I feel like if we had driven a bargain that preserved that one additional asset we’d see a clear path to championship contention where now it’s not so clear.

But it’s water under the bridge now, and a superstar is the hardest part of a top team to get. We got us one.

 

[brownsbuck6]

Cavs highlights:

Ummm. That video cut short the game tying putback for reasons. Amazing.

 

[MirORich]

The rest of the team on the whole still scored 74 for the game and 41 of the 83 second half points(excluding OT)

Considering who they played without, it’s actually not bad at all.

But yeah, Mitchell was otherworldly and anyone starting to feel like we’re bordering on overstatement needs to understand we’re not, when it come to single game performances(and in massive comeback that led to and actual tight high stakes game)

 

[DCTribefan]

Intensity.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

OMG - no words. Can't believe what I just saw.

Mitchell had 58 points AFTER halftime. It's amazing to see a 50-point game, but 58 points after halftime?

Mind blowing. And we have this guy for two more years?

 

[Alec]

I chose a horrible night to watch HandEgg over the Cavs lmao

 

[jjvors]

Donovan post-game interview:

 

[dark2332]

@Wham with the Right Hand This game thread might need pinned.

Greatest individual performance in Cavs history.