Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year'

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Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#1 » by RealGM Wiretap » Thu Jan 9, 2025 6:35 am

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-122 on Wednesday night, winning their 11th straight game.


The Cavs are now 32-4 on the season.


"It just speaks to our growth. I told everybody after the game, as a unit, we don't win this game last year ... everybody that came in did something positive to affect the game, whether it was scoring, rebounding, defending, whatever it may be. That's a team win, and that's what it's going to take for us to be the team we want to be," said Donovan Mitchell after the game.


Mitchell shot just 3-of-16 from the field. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen combined for 46 points and 22 rebounds, with Darius Garland finishing with 18 points and seven assists.


"It's so awesome. It's like you're in the NCAA tournament. It's like, 'Man, we got here.' There's that type of buzz," said Kenny Atkinson before the game.


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points on 27 shots, while Jalen Williams finished with 25 points and nine assists for the Thunder.


Mitchell kept the game in perspective.


"I think we're all excited about it and obviously this is one game and no championships are won tonight, but it's something to be proud of," added Mitchell.

Via Tim Bontemps/ESPN

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Re: Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#2 » by njknicks » Thu Jan 9, 2025 3:00 pm

Coach Atkinson has done a marvelous job -- COY candidate.

Mobley & Garland have taken the next step in progression.

Above all the CAVS are much improved from a 3pt % standpoint since last season ( quality shots ).

Legit Championship contender.
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Re: Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#3 » by castor777 » Thu Jan 9, 2025 3:51 pm

njknicks wrote:Coach Atkinson has done a marvelous job -- COY candidate.

Mobley & Garland have taken the next step in progression.

Above all the CAVS are much improved from a 3pt % standpoint since last season ( quality shots ).

Legit Championship contender.

They really are. If last nights game was a possibility of what's to come in June, it's going to be a hell of a Finals series.
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Re: Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#4 » by Pickled Prunes » Thu Jan 9, 2025 7:21 pm

I think it's interesting how many people have been convinced by this one game. The Cavs were 31-4 going in to last night's game. In case anyone is still on the fence... they are very good.
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Re: Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#5 » by Cassius » Thu Jan 9, 2025 9:18 pm

A few notes:

1. I love that they go 10-11 deep

2. I love how important Okoro has become to the team. It looked like the cupboard was bare after trading for Donovan, but him, Wade and Strus are the real floor raisers on this team at SF.

3. It remains to be seen if the SF rotation becomes a ceiling against Boston. Mobley can only defend one of the J's, so whoever has the Brown (I assume) matchup will be giving up either size, athleticism or both.

4. OKC with Chet and Caruso is what I'm really waiting for. This game didn't tell me anything as far as who's the best. Per 3 above, the Cavs don't have enough size at SF to punish the Thunder for playing Caruso, Dort and Shai together on the perimeter. That trio would do some terrible things to the Cavs backcourt defensively and Chet/Hart vs. Mobley/Allen is a toss up.
I_Like_Dirt wrote:The whole comparison to Kevin McHale is ridiculously close, imo... And that's without more hilarious aspects of the comparison, e.g. if Wally Sczerbiak were 7 feet tall with the slower reflexes that came with the additional height, he'd be Bargnani.
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Re: Donovan Mitchell Following Win Over Thunder: 'We Don't Win This Game Last Year' 

Post#6 » by MegaK » Thu Jan 9, 2025 9:53 pm

Yo stop playing bro. Everyone know he going to Knick bro

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