[embedded content]
The Cleveland Cavaliers fell 126-104 to the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena. Donovan Mitchell pointed to energy and execution as the central issues after the defeat.
Mitchell opened with a clear diagnosis of the performance, saying, “It’s our aggressiveness, our force. I don’t think it was there tonight as a whole. Give credit where credit’s due… we were right there for the majority of the game and then battle kind of got away in the fourth.”
He also addressed Toronto’s late scoring burst and a key breakdown in coverage, stating, “He’s a shooter and if you give a guy an open look… he gets open and once you see one go in, it goes from there… credit to him, credit to them, but, you know, we got to be better and we’ll fix it.”
On defensive adjustments against Toronto’s actions, Mitchell emphasized physicality, saying, “I just don’t think our force… we weren’t forceful enough with it… both of us have seen top blocks before but our force of coming off of it… I think was really the issue.”
The Cavaliers also struggled with turnovers, finishing with 22, and Mitchell tied that issue back to intensity, noting, “They came out protecting home court… they did it with more force and aggression… I think when you are… not as forceful as the home team and then they start making shots and the crowd’s behind him, you know, you get the result you get.”
Looking ahead to Game 4, Mitchell pushed for composure rather than panic, saying, “Well, I think the biggest thing is one not overreact… It’s one loss. You know, it’s the sky isn’t falling… we go back and fix it.”
He also stressed offensive organization and involvement, adding, “I think he’s key but I think we have to do our job… getting guys involved as well… it starts with our force.”
Game 4 shifts back to Toronto on Sunday, with Cleveland trailing 2-1 in the series and looking to reset its physical tone and execution.
