A Friday night in Boston to battle the Celtics is one intense way to open NBA season. And to be missing an All-Star? The Cleveland Cavaliers were once again without Darius Garland who missed his fourth straight game. But, heading into this one, the Cavs were 3-0 without Garland. And 3-0 with LeVert and Mitchell.
Friday night fits. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/CHWxMdakCp
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 28, 2022
And the young, dynamic, and defensive Cleveland club put on a show! The duo of Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert pulled their Lebron and Kyrie costumes on in a record-tying performance, accounting for 82 of the Cavaliers’ points in an overtime win in Boston’s TD Arena, 132-123.
Courtesy of AP, seen on cleveland.com
The Cavs rolled out with a starting lineup of Mitchell, LeVert, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. It has been the normal starting lineup with Garland out and after moving Isaac Okoro to the bench.
First Quarter-LeVert leads the way
It was a very fast start for the Cavs. They came out of the gates firing and tried to make the Celtics play the Cavs game. It worked for a little bit, with the Cavs getting a lead all the way up to 13 points in the first quarter. But the Celtics woke up halfway through the quarter and flipped the switch. In fact, they did even more than that and led at the end of the first quarter, 34-33.
Second Quarter
The second quarter was not good at all for the Cavs to say the least. The defense was terrible, looked like it was non-existent, and the offense was struggling to keep up. The Cavs gave up a whopping 75 points in the first half and the Celtics were showing why they were the favorites in the East heading into this season. The Cavs trailed 62-75.
Third Quarter-Mitchell dynamic
The Cavs came out of the half ready to go and would not back down from the Celtics. The #Cavalanche finally came as the Cavs got back in the game and trailed just 95-99 at the end of the third quarter.
Mitchell puts Luke Kornet on a poster
The highlight from the third had to come from this highlight slam dunk from Donavan Mitchell.
🕷 This POSTER by Spida is SO SICK! https://t.co/O1e8tn9Nkf pic.twitter.com/CQH5ZRm41I
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2022
Fourth Quarter-LeVert and Mitchell
The fourth was a great one for the Cavs as they continued to fight back against the Celtics but still trailed late in the game. The Cavs made a final push in the final minute as they were able to tie it up and get one last stop on the other end to force overtime.
Caris LeVert grabs the rebound, and gives the @cavs the lead!!#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/LcVTA4ad2K
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) October 29, 2022
Overtime-LeVert leads the way!
Overtime was a blast for this young Cavs team. They came ready to go for the final five minutes and put a little #Cavalanche together. The Cavs outscored the Celtics 18-9 in the one overtime they had to play and they rallied back to get the win. LeVert had the final 11 points for the Wine and Gold and a big steal late in OT to seal it!
It was a great win for this young Cavs team who rallied back from being down 13 at the half.
Backcourt Duo-LeVert and Mitchell
The Cavs backcourt duo of LeVert and Mitchell each scored 41 points a piece and became the first Cleveland duo to do so since Kyrie Irving and Lebron in Game 5 of the 2016 Finals.
Top Performers
Caris LeVert 41 Points, 12-21 (6-8 from 3), 4 rebounds, 7 assists
Donovan Mitchell 41 Points, 15-26 (5-9 from 3), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Evan Mobley 19 Points, 7-12 (1-3), 10 rebounds 3 assists
Jarrett Allen 12 Points, 5-8 (2-3), 11 rebounds,2 assists
Junkyard Dog Chain goes to…
After his remarkable 41 point performance and leading this game for the Cavaliers, Caris LeVert was tonight’s “Junkyard Dog” Chain recipient.
The Chain is yours, @CarisLeVert. 🐶@ThatsJared | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/RcFPzjDgIY
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 29, 2022
LeVert, the University of Michigan stand-out and former Indiana Pacer, had a very promising game tonight as he continues to show why the Cavs traded for him at the deadline last season. He is showing how he is going to be a huge key to this team’s success. Here’s what LeVert said after the game:
“My teammates and coaches have unbelievable belief in me to just keep going…It’s not just offense and scoring. Defense. Rebounding. Everything. Keeps me in the game. I tried to play a complete game tonight.”
That he did!
Next games
Sunday Knicks 6PM Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Tickets
Wednesday Celtics 730PM Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Tickets
Friday Pistons 7PM Little Caesars Arena
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