Donovan Mitchell scored 26 in Cavs blowout victory
Photo credit Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland, Ohio – The Cavs took care of the Washington Wizards 114-90 winning both games of their back-to-back series.
The Cavs hosted the Washington Wizards in the second game of their back-to-back after defeating the Wizards by 40 on Wednesday night.
The Cavs started Friday night’s game shooting 50% from 3-point land in the first quarter. The wine and gold led the Wizards by as much as 14. However, the Cavs only led by 10 to end the quarter as the Wizards matched the Cavs’ 3-point total (5 made 3-pointers) and shot 50% from the field.
Donovan Mitchell was the star of the opening period. Mitchell scored 11 points and knocked down 3 shots behind the arc.
The 2nd quarter didn’t look as good as the 1st quarter for the Cavs, however, their defense showed up big.
The Cavs’ calling card has been defense and Friday night it showed up big. The Cavs held the Wizards to 14 points in the quarter to increase their halftime lead to 12. The Cavs also only allowed the Wizards 3 free throws in the first half. The Cavs caused 5 turnovers but only scored 2 points off those turnovers. The Cavs struggled to score in the 2nd quarter only scoring 16 points with 10 of those coming from the bench crew.
Coach Bickerstaff postgame reiterated that defense is where the Cavs will be able to separate themselves from the rest.
“I know the offense gets a lot of attention, but that doesn’t mean we stop working and focusing on the defensive end of the floor. We continue every single day to impress upon our guys that that’s what’s going to separate us. We’ve talked pregame about how many teams are scoring 140 points. But, the teams that are going to eventually separate themselves are teams that can get stops and figure out a way to convert on the offensive and so we try to be balanced but, we’ll still have to spend a ton of time on the defensive end.”
Donovan Mitchell who had a superb first quarter only scored 3 points all of them coming from the free throw line.
Out of halftime, the Wizards would score 4 points in the first minute of the quarter to cut the Cavs lead to 8. The Cavs outscored the Wizards 32-15 the remainder of the quarter. The Cavs’ energy and effort on defense was much improved from the first half. The Cavs were active on the glass and out-rebounded the Wizards 18-7 in the quarter. The Cavs ended the quarter leading 84-57. Although they led to start the final quarter the Cavs didn’t play a completely clean game, through 3 quarters they committed 16 turnovers which resulted in 18 points for the Wizards.
The Cavs started the 4th quarter with a 27-point lead and the game never became in peril. The Cavs bench mob carried most of the load to end the game. Sam Merrill had a night off the bench scoring double digits. Gerorges Niang had one of his best shooting nights of the year. He hit 4 of his 8 3-pointers and looked very confident with his catch-and-shoot opportunities.
The Cavs resident 6th man Caris Levert continued his consistent play scoring 11 points off the bench including a career high 11 assist.
Donovan Mitchell ended his night early as he saw no 4th quarter minutes. HIs day finished with 26 points and 4 assists in 25 minutes of play.
Over the Cavs’ last 10 games without Daris Garland and Evan Mobley the Cavs are 7-3. Coach Bickerstaff was asked in postgame how they’re progressing so far.
“They’re doing well. They’re able to do different things just because of their injuries and circumstances. But I think you see them here, you know, they’re good spirits. They’re around the group. But you know, they’re progressing. Evan is able to do more and more every day and, we’re just being cautious with Darius because of the wiring and how much he can actually handle, calorie intake, and all those things. So, we’re just trying to be cautious with him and make sure that those guys take the steps that they need. To get them back when they’re ready to go.”
When asked if he could see the recent success coming despite all the injuries The Cavs suffered, Bickerstaff pointed to the trust he has of his players.
“I would bank on these guys to be honest with you. There’s a lot of trust in that locker room and the guys that are there. You go down the list individually like we know what Donovan is capable of, Max, all those guys care. Everybody stepped up, and I’m hard pressed to find a guy a big guy who’s playing better than Jarrett Allen. I think we all need to take a serious look at his All Star accolades. Because I don’t know many big guys, if any that are playing better than him right now.”
The Cavs and Ricky Rubio have parted ways after Rubio started the season away from the team, he decided to announce his retirement earlier in the week. Coach Bickerstaff gave Rubio the credit for sacrificing and making it easier for him to coach the rest of the team.
“Ricky was one of my favorite people to be around in the NBA. I owe Ricky a debt of gratitude. There’s only a couple of guys who I could say at this point has had the impact on me that way. He helped us in a brief period of time turn this organization into what you see in front of you again. We were 22 wins. His presence allowed me to coach the team in a certain way, where no one was too big to sacrifice. He was a starting point guard his entire career. He was a starting level point guard when he was with us, but he sacrificed to come off the bench to be a part of this team. And that allowed me to coach the team in a way where, you know, nobody was above what was the most important thing and that was the team. Ricky is one of the most unique spirits I’ve ever been around period. He’s not a guy who, has to say a lot or has to be always in the mix. But somehow, someway, he’s got a gravity that people just want to be around him and spend time with him. Play for him, not just with him. He will always always have a special place for me, and you know, someday you will look back at it and he’s one of the guys that I know for sure will stand out. And I cannot speak on how appreciative I am of my time with him and our relationship. Again, it’s career changing what he was able to help me do”
The Cavs improve to 20-15 on the season, they’ll play the San Antonio Spurs (5-29) Sunday January 7th.
