The Cleveland Cavaliers are up 2-0, as expected.
However, it hasn’t been as smooth sailing as most people thought.
They didn’t find much trouble getting past the Miami Heat in Game 1, but Erik Spoelstra’s team fought back in Game 2.
The Cavs trailed by as many as nine points at one point, and while they still managed to hang on to win 121-112, the Heat made a statement and proved that they wouldn’t be pushed over.
When asked about that, Donovan Mitchell admitted that he actually loved this type of adversity, as it helped bring the best out of the group and also prepared them for their upcoming trip to South Beach:
“I love it,” Mitchell responded when asked how this early playoff adversity can be helpful. “I love the fact that the game happened like this. I would much rather this than win by 20 like we did the other night, especially going into an environment like we are in a few days. We had to really find a way as a group. We were up, we did a lot of things positive, did some negative things, and then we responded.”
Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 30 points on 10 of 21 from the floor.
He also grabbed six rebounds, handed out six assists, logged one steal, and shot 70% from beyond the arc.
This was the kind of performance Kenny Atkinson’s team needed from him.
The Cavs haven’t been a one-man show this season, but it’s still refreshing to see that Mitchell was able to step up and take care of business when the team was in need of a bucket.
Some still doubt that he and/or Darius Garland have the clutch gene and the It Factor a star needs to have in the postseason, and this will help turn that narrative around.
The series will now head to Florida for Games 3 and 4, and the Heat will fight with tooth and nail to try and come back after consecutive losses.
NEXT: Kenny Atkinson Has Honest Admission About Bench Rotation In Playoffs
