During the course of the regular season, Donovan Mitchell did less for the Cavaliers to achieve more.
It led Cleveland to a franchise-best 15-0 start, followed it up with another 12-game win streak, and earned a 64-win season and the East top seed.
But when playoff time arrived, Mitchell reminded everyone what he’s capable of doing.
“It’s why I’m here. It’s my job,” the Cavaliers superstar said after his epic 17-point fourth quarter that helped Cleveland stave off a late Miami Heat rally for a 121-112 win in Game 2, Thursday (PH time), April 24.
Just as the Heat trimmed down a once 19-point Cavs’ lead to 105-103 with 3:11 seconds left to play in regulation, Mitchell took matters into his own hands.
He scored eight straight points – a step-back floater followed by back-to-back threes — to give Cleveland some breathing room at 113-106 with under two minutes.
DONOVAN MITCHELL. CLUTCH.
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2025
8 STRAIGHT POINTS IN CRUNCH TIME TO KEEP THE CAVS AHEAD!
Heat/Cavs | Game 2 | NBA TV
From that point, the East top-ranked team hung on to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their opening-round series.
THE CAVS ICE IT WITH THIS DEFENSE TO TO OFFENSE SEQUENCE 🧊
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2025
CLEVELAND TAKES A 2-0 SERIES LEAD!!
Game 3: Saturday, 4/26 at 1:00pm/et on TNT
“I love the fact the game happened like this. We had to really find a way as a group and then we responded,” Mitchell told the reporters in the post-game press conference.
The six-time All-Star finished with 30 points — his 27th career playoff game with at least 30 points — alongside seven threes, six rebounds, and six assists.
“Some nights it’s doing what I did tonight and scoring and some nights it’s getting in there and creating. Just trying to force them to make a decision and make the right play” he added.
Evan Mobley added 21 markers, Darius Garland chipped in 20 on the night Cleveland set an NBA playoff record 11 threes in the second frame. They finished with 22 makes from deep, tied for sixth most in postseason history.
PLAYOFF HISTORY FOR THE CAVS ??
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2025
This Spida 3 gives them 11 in the 2nd quarter...
That's the MOST by any team in any postseason quarter in the play-by-play era (1997-98) 🤯
“I’m proud of the guys for holding our composure. It helps when you have Donovan Mitchell. It was one of those superstar takes over games,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson bared.
Tyler Herro paced the Heat with 33 points but Miami gave up 43 points in the second frame and committed 14 turnovers that Cleveland converted to 19 points.
Game 3 is set on Sunday, April in Miami where head coach Erik Spoelstra and his squad look to cut the series deficit.
