Donovan Mitchell very happy with the start of the Cavaliers season

Last season, after 18 games, c Cavaliers had a record of 17 wins and one loss. Almost impossible to do better. This year at the same time of passage and after their success against the Clippershere they are at 12 wins and 6 losses, the third best record in the Eastern Conference. So overall it’s positive, but less impressive, which we don’t mind at all. Donovan Mitchell.

“It’s perfect for us”, the judge the latter, the author of 37 points in this win against Los Angeles. “There’s so much to learn. We’ve had some good games, some bad games and we want to keep moving in the right direction, and I think we’re doing that. We’re where we need to be, with our 12-6 record. We’ve got to keep improving, that’s all.”

In this match, the contribution of the reserve players was positive. Jarrett Allen was not there, nor were Lonzo Ball, Sam Merrill and Craig Porter Jr. But the bench still scored 33 points, including 11 for Tyrese Proctor, against a Clippers bench that didn’t contribute anything (9 points in 36 minutes) before the final moments.

“We have a lot of players at the moment and against a team like Los Angeles, having young people who are very good in the rotation is huge”analyzed by Kenny Atkinson. “If three of them don’t contribute, we lose this game. It’s that important.”

The rebound still needs to be corrected

The negative is the rebounding battle, narrowly won, but which allowed the Clippers to grab 12 offensive rebounds, including 7 for Ivica Zubac, who finished with 18 catches. Jarrett Allen’s absence obviously hasn’t helped, but even with him, the Cavaliers are prone to getting walked under the rim at times.

“It’s a bit of our Achilles heel”admits the coach. “We’re below average in rebounding. It’s not just on Evan Mobley to do it, it’s on our outsiders. Zubac already grabbed 20 rebounds last season against us, if I remember correctly (March 18). »

De’Andre Hunter prefers to focus on 105 points. “We had energy and were very active”he is looking forward to the defensive performance of the group. “We had the ball in our hands, we pushed them to score complicated shots.”