CLEVELAND — In an exhilarating encounter on Sunday night, Donovan Mitchell starred for the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 20 of his total 35 points in the final quarter to secure a thrilling 115-111 victory over the Boston Celtics, thus putting an end to Boston’s impressive seven-game winning streak. This matchup highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the top contenders in the Eastern Conference this season.
In a remarkable display during the fourth quarter, Mitchell was flawless, making all six of his shot attempts, including four 3-pointers, as the Cavaliers surged back from a 12-point deficit. After a slow start where he managed only 2 of 8 shooting in the first half, he excelled in the second, contributing 30 points overall. Darius Garland also made a significant contribution to Cleveland’s success, scoring 22 points in the game.
The Cavaliers were eager for retribution against the Celtics, having suffered their first defeat of the season against them on November 19, following an impressive undefeated streak of 15 games. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 33 points, while Payton Pritchard added 24 points and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21 points. However, Boston was missing two key starters: Jaylen Brown due to illness and Derrick White because of a foot injury.
Despite their reduced roster, the Celtics showcased their depth, demonstrating a formidable offensive balance that posed challenges for the Cavaliers with their diverse scoring options from beyond the arc. Conversely, Mitchell underscored his status as one of the premier all-around players in the NBA, particularly in clutch moments, rebounding from a prior shooting struggle where he shot just 5 of 23 in a defeated game against Atlanta.
A crucial moment transpired late in the game when the Celtics found themselves trailing 113-110 with just five seconds remaining. Pritchard managed to sink his first free throw before attempting to miss his second in hopes of regaining a long rebound. However, he was penalized for stepping into the lane too soon, reverting possession to the Cavaliers. Mitchell ultimately sealed the victory with two successful free throws.
In terms of performance metrics, it was noteworthy that Mitchell came into the game struggling with a shooting percentage of only 40% (42 of 104) over the past five games. Moving forward, the Celtics are set to host the Miami Heat on Monday, kicking off a challenging stretch of four home games within a six-day period, while the Cavaliers will face the Washington Wizards at home on Tuesday.