Caris LeVert, Donovan Mitchell combine for 82 points as Cavaliers defeat Celtics

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The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics 132-123 in overtime on the road Friday night. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Cavaliers guards Caris LeVert and Donovan Mitchell combined for 82 points, each putting up 41.
  • LeVert and Mitchell are the first Cavaliers teammates to drop 40-plus points each in a game since Kyrie Irving and LeBron James in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
  • The Cavaliers were down 75-62 at the half. They outscored the Celtics 70-48 the rest of the way to win in overtime.

Evaluating LeVert’s performance

LeVert had a complete ball game. Not only did he score 41 points in the Cavs’ overtime win, but he also led the team in assists with seven. He was under control with his shots as well as being aggressive. He found a way to find guys for open shots as well. LeVert also had two important offensive rebounds for two second-chance opportunities, where he hit a 3, and Mitchell finished with a driving layup. In the first four games of the season, LeVert was helping facilitate and playmake, but struggled to have his 2s fall. But the Cavs know who LeVert is as a scorer, and believed that his shots would fall. Friday night in Boston they did, and LeVert showcased who he is as a two-way player. LeVert was awarded the “Junkyard Dog Chain” after the game.

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Evaluating Mitchell’s performance

Mitchell continues to excel at point guard while the Cavs miss Darius Garland. He is a playmaker, while also finding his shots and playing his position. He continues to make the right read and the right decision for the play. He had two massive dunks in the matchup against the Celtics and was active on the defensive end.

Highlight of the night

🔨 DONOVAN MITCHELL DROPS THE HAMMER

Join the Q3 action on the NBA App: https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/8GtS70AT2f

— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2022

Stats of the Game

LeVert’s stat line: 41 points, four rebounds, seven assists, 12-of-21 FG (57.1 percent), 6-of-8 3FG (75 percent)

Mitchell’s stat line: 41 points, four rebounds, three assists, 15-of-26 FG (57.7 percent), 5-of-9 3FG (55.6 percent)

What they’re saying

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke to reporters after the game about LeVert’s performance.

“We know what he’s capable of as a scorer,” Bickerstaff said. “And it’s the trust that we have in him and that his teammates have in him that those shots he was getting before, like those were his shots.

“When your teammates have your back like that and there’s that trust in you, it gives you that freedom and that confidence. And then once it got going, the floodgates opened.”

Required reading

(Photo: David Butler II / USA Today)

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