The Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks each turned the tables on their high-seeded opponents on Thursday night, leveling their respective NBA playoff series at one game apiece. Donovan Mitchell and Luka Doncic were the catalysts for these stunning upsets, with each delivering memorable performances to help their teams prevail.
Cleveland Cavaliers Emerge Victorious Over Boston Celtics
Dominant Second Half from Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell ignited a furious second-half offensive assault, scoring 23 of his 29 points after the break as the Cleveland Cavaliers dismantled the Boston Celtics 118-94 at T.D. Garden. The game was deadlocked at 54 apiece at halftime, but Mitchell seized control in the third quarter with a 16-point explosion that laid the groundwork for Cleveland’s win.
Attack-Minded Teammates Shine
“Attack-minded” was the mantra for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Evan Mobley played a significant role early, posting 15 of his 21 points in the first half, while adding 10 rebounds and five assists. Caris LeVert, coming off the bench, made sure to add firepower with 21 points. Cleveland had six players scoring in double figures, showcasing their depth and offensive versatility.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the collective effort, saying, “I like the way that we were just attack-minded. We didn’t settle for the first quick (shot) that we saw.”
With Mitchell finding his rhythm, the Cavs extended their lead to 24 points in the fourth quarter, sending the stunned Boston crowd home early.
Tatum, Brown Disappointed
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 25 points, while Jaylen Brown added 19, but the team struggled to contain the Cavaliers and secure rebounds. Brown labeled the defensive effort “unacceptable,” noting, “We gave up 118 points… On top of that we lost the rebound battle.”
Mitchell, however, remained grounded despite the triumph: “At the end of the day, it’s one win. We’ve got to do it at the crib.”
Most Playoff Points scored currently (remaining players only) as of May 4th:
1. Jalen Brunson (213-42.9%)
2. Luka Doncic (179-40.5%)
3. Donovan Mitchell (162-47.0%)
4. Kyrie Irving (159-51.4%)
5. Paolo Banchero (151-47.9%) pic.twitter.com/daJzxzWpWU— skinny hardaway💫 (@stuffsburner) May 4, 2024
Dallas Mavericks Tame Thunder to Even Series
Doncic Overcomes Adversity
Luka Doncic refused to let a right knee sprain or a rough fall early in the game slow him down. He scored 29 points and hauled in 10 rebounds to help the DallasMavericks dispatch the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-110 in a thrilling contest.
“It’s just my mentality to have a great start and then the team is going to follow me,” Doncic explained, after scoring 16 points in the first quarter to establish the tempo.
Despite a couple of limping moments and Oklahoma City briefly taking the lead in the third quarter, Doncic’s relentless mentality helped Dallas outlast the Thunder.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Kyrie Irving managed only nine points, he contributed with 11 assists, two steals, and two blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a critical boost off the bench, dropping 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter to halt the Thunder’s momentum.
Oklahoma City fought valiantly, turning a 14-point deficit into a slim third-quarter lead. However, they couldn’t sustain the momentum, as Dallas entered the fourth with a 10-point advantage and maintained control until the final whistle.
Looking Ahead to Game Three
With both series now level, all eyes are on the Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks as they head home for their respective Game Threes on Saturday. Mitchell and Doncic have demonstrated their game-changing abilities, and the pressure is on for the Celtics and Thunder to find answers if they wish to avoid falling behind.
