The Cavaliers needed a tremendous comeback, Donovan Mitchell’s brilliance, and a lot of perseverance to get past the first round.
To advance, even more will be required.
Cleveland defeated the Orlando Magic 106-94 in Game 7 of the First Round of the playoffs on Sunday, averting a second consecutive first-round elimination and maybe the organization’s demise.
With a certain NBA lifetime scoring leader from nearby Akron on their roster, the Cavs had little time to celebrate their first series victory since 1993 after turning some early jeers into thunderous cheers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
It was urgent to turn the page. Boston’s next seed, ranked first.
But prior to turning their attention to the Celtics for Tuesday night’s first game at TD Center, the Cavaliers relished a triumph that served as a microcosm of a season marred by injuries, highs, lows, and uncertainty.
Caris LeVert, who scored 15 points after coming off the bench, remarked, “We showed a lot of fight.” “We demonstrated what we have been demonstrating all year. We simply continued to battle. This year, we’ve gone there multiple times as a group, not only for games. We’ve sustained injuries. We suffered injuries. However, we have a “next man up” mindset and never give up.
Due to a severely damaged rib, center Jarrett Allen has missed three straight games for the Cavaliers. Cavs coach J.B.
This season, Bickerstaff has been forced to adjust his lineup and rotation virtually every day.
However, the Cavs seemed to be in serious trouble shortly after, and it seemed like a year devoted to forgetting the agonizing memory of the team’s five-game meltdown against the New York Knicks the previous year would be in vain.
Halfway through the second quarter, the young and unproven Magic, led by 21-year-old sensation Paolo Banchero, were outplaying the Cavaliers and had extended their lead to 47-29.
Cleveland appeared to be in danger of losing everything at that time, including Bickerstaff’s employment.
However, the Cavs were able to close the gap to 10 points at the half. In the third quarter, Mitchell—who scored 50 points in a losing Game 6—took over in a manner reminiscent of LeBron James’s, guiding Cleveland to four consecutive Finals and the team’s lone NBA championship.
In the third, Mitchell not only outscored the Magic 17–15 on his own, but he also assumed the role of team psychologist, putting his arm around guard Darius Garland to give him a pep talk during a stoppage.
The Cavaliers entered the fourth quarter with a 76-68 lead and some confidence after Max Strus, who was signed by Cleveland in the offseason to address a need for outside shooting, scored back-to-back 3-pointers.
Then, with Cleveland up eight points, Garland and Mitchell had a moment that could be the most representative of Cleveland’s season.
Garland missed a three-point attempt from the right wing, but Cavaliers player Isaac Okoro grabbed the long rebound and fed it to Mitchell.
Despite having a lane as he drove to the basket, Mitchell pulled up and found Garland, who made a 3-pointer from the identical position to put Cleveland up 11 points and quiet its supporters.
Subsequently, Mitchell and Garland gave each other a tight hug, resembling the method these Cavaliers have had to connect.
collectively.
Mitchell affirmed, “That relationship exists.” Thus, I knew he was back when I saw him react that way. You just need that sometimes. That is very significant. That’s the person he must be. I always advise him to keep being aggressive and to keep shooting the ball. I don’t give a damn if you drop the ball, if the audience jeers, or anything else.
“It doesn’t concern us. Simply stay true to who you are.
The Cavaliers have embraced a similar motto as a team after suffering their worst-ever postseason defeat in Game 3.
They have no illusions about their standing and are conscious of their shortcomings. They are aware that the Celtics, who withdrew from the other Eastern Conference contenders months ago, are significant underdogs.
But when asked what the Cavaliers could anticipate next, Mitchell smirked as he thought about what lay ahead after the biggest Game 7 comeback since the NBA started keeping more thorough records in the 1990s.
He declared, “We know who we are.” “A competitive squad. We followed the correct course of action. We only took seven games in the overall scheme. Therefore, I’m very confident that when we get in Boston, everyone expects them to kick our ass.
“All we have to do is be ourselves.”
