Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell Says Cavs ‘Will Be Ready To Go’ Whether Players Return, Don’t

Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell Says Cavs ‘Will Be Ready To Go’ Whether Players Return, Don’t

We got to take care of business. We ain’t got no choice. Um, you know, biggest thing is we should have had games, but we didn’t. Can’t dwell on that. In terms of talking, what can you share with us about? Well, we’ve done a lot of things, right? You know, we don’t get up 20 for a reason. Your biggest thing right now is sustaining, you know, sustaining that continuing to be that group. Jonathan, if the three guys that are questionable are back tonight, what kind of a boost does that provide for you guys? Big time. I mean, obviously, you know, two allars and six man of the year, they come back and obviously what they do on the defensive end offense be huge. Um, it makes us, you know, obviously, you know, there’s a diversity in in the offense and defensive end. So, um, yeah, for sure. I think, um, you know, I don’t know their status, but, you know, I tell the guys, be ready. Um, if they’re not, be ready if they are ready to go. And obviously, I’m excited to have this kind of back, but, you know, we’re locked in, ready to go. What kind of an emotional coach, I guess, would that aside from Yeah, I mean, big big time when you have when you’re back home, you know, I think it’s it’s always great to have your know your guys out there with you. That’s what we ro team team first group and your guys back. How are you feeling physically quick kind of regardless of plays just a challenge of coming in here on the road down to set what mindset are you taking into it and how you sort of uh wanted the team to think about that? I ain’t got no choice but to win these games playing in front of 100 people. Um got a lot of respect for this family. They have shown over the years how passionate they are. Um no doubt it’s not going to be the same way. Um it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a easy environment, but we have no choice to take care of these two games. Otherwise, we’ll be done. What are the things that in the first 45 46 minutes of game two that you can carry over into this game just with the way that you guys played? Yeah, I mean, our intensity or our defensive focus. I mean, yeah, we gave up 35, 34, the quarters two and three, but you know, imagine that transition, limiting Hallebertton’s touches, u making it tough on them, getting on the board, giving them rebounds, pushing in transition. Um, those like the little thing, you know, being able to play right the pressure in half court, playing out of the half, rolling the blitz, um, hitting Jay in the pocket, myself tacking down hill, Max, same guys are doing the little thing, Dean, Isaac tagging and getting them on the offensive boards, kind of win the possession game. Um, we did a lot of really positive things. I know a minute and some and some change obviously, you know, is the bigger picture of it all for everybody, but understanding that we we we’ve done a lot of positive things and look to bring that energy tonight. Why you guys been so successful in that first half especially successful uh denying caliber you guys just making it tough um he’s as a player just trying to make his catch is tough I think when you have the guys we have in this group whether it’s Max Isent um Dre you know whoever Sam who’s coming in we got a lot of guys who are talented enough to you know to make it tough you know I think the biggest thing now is sustaining that Donovan circling back to coming into a hostile environment in your experience What’s the key to playing a playoff road game? Um, no matter what happens, don’t get up too high or too low. Understand that, you know, it’s easy to say hit first. They may hit first. We have to respond. We may hit first. Still got to keep the lead and respond. So, um, understand that, you know, when they go on the run, it’s going to get loud. You know, there’s there’s everything’s going to be magnified. Our mistakes, understanding your head, understand that it’s going to be a long game, long 48 minutes. Um, these games are fun, man. which is that’s what you want. You know, as much as we love playing at home in front of our crowd, you know, I think it’s it’s great to play in front of an environment like this. For the other guys, how much can they draw upon New York a couple years ago, Orlando, Boston last year? Just draw on those experiences. I mean, you know, I’m excited to see what this place brings on the playoff environment, but you know, you both gardens are are loud. Cleveland’s loud and no doubt it’ll be the same thing. I think if we draw from past experience, it definitely helps as well. So, it’s fresh on our mind, but ultimately crowd is going to be the crowd. We got to handle our business on the court. Last question. John, a few things that we’ve heard from the press of late is the intens intensity and sense of urgency from you and coach specifically with them scoring the most amount of points that you need from day two. What are some adjustments that you can make from that point starting from your first point, but also throughout sustain? Yeah, I think the biggest thing is just having that little bit focus on the little details. Um, excuse me. Whether that’s a deny, it’s a coverage, it’s a miss box out. I mean, like there’s all these little things that play into play into that. And you know, it’s easy to do it for two quarters or two stretch, continue to do that for 48 minutes. didn’t speak.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell speaks with the media after their Friday shootaround ahead of Game 3 at the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

The Cavs will take on the Pacers on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Game 3.

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