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Celtics at Cavs, Recreation 3 | 8:30 ET, ABC | Tied, 1-1

Donovan Mitchell’s group had fallen behind, 1-0, to a higher-seeded energy – a group that includes one of many NBA’s premier duos.

In Recreation 2, he took over, going for 23 of his 29 factors within the 2nd half to tie the sequence and steal home-court benefit.

The 12 months was 2018. He was a 21-year-old rookie. And over the subsequent 4 video games, as his fifth-seeded Jazz beat Russ & PG’s OKC Thunder, he took his first steps towards constructing a popularity as considered one of his technology’s best playoff scorers.

All Time, Too: Mitchell ranks sixth in Playoffs ppg (28.0) in NBA historical past for gamers who’ve performed a minimal of fifty video games.

• Forward Of Him: Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, Jerry West and LeBron James
• Simply Behind: Nikola Jokic, Elgin Baylor, George Gervin and Steph Curry

On Thursday, when his group wanted him to steer, he got here by means of but once more – dropping 16 of his 29 factors within the third quarter and hitting three straight buckets to begin the 4th to ship the Cavs to a 1-1 sequence tie with Boston.

This 12 months: Mitchell ranks third in playoff scoring amongst gamers nonetheless lively, and sixth general, at 29.2 per sport. And because the Cavs have seen up and down contributions from the lineup (54.7 FG% in Recreation 2, 41.1% in Recreation 1), the 5-time All-Star has led the way in which.

• Extra Than A Scorer: Spida’s contributions transcend buckets, too – he’s sixth in PIE amongst lively gamers on this 12 months’s postseason, and tenth general (min. 30 mpg)
• Mr. Dependable: He’s additionally second in utilization charge amongst actives, and third general, getting the Cavs to their first Conf Semis win (and look) since 2018
• Spida & Bron: Mitchell’s simply the second Cav ever with 25+ pts in 6 straight playoff video games after LeBron most just lately did it 9 instances in 2018
• Clutch Gene: Amongst still-active gamers who’ve performed at the least 8 mpg within the 4th Q, he ranks 4th in PIE within the last quarter – and sixth general
• 🗣 Mentioned Mitchell About Recreation 2: “At halftime, I used to be similar to, ’I don’t plan on popping out.’ That was the mindset. [Coach Bickerstaff] requested me if I wanted (a break) and I used to be like, ‘I’m good.’”

Work Lower Out: Mitchell & the Cavs’ activity now? Give the Celtics one thing that’s occurred simply 4 instances this season: back-to-back losses. See who goes up 2-1 on ABC at 8:30 ET.