Cavaliers Face Uphill Battle in Game 4 Against Celtics Without Donovan Mitchell

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without their star guard Donovan Mitchell for Game 4 of their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Mitchell has been sidelined due to a calf strain, joining fellow key player Jarrett Allen on the injury list. With both top scorers out, the Cavaliers face a significant challenge in their efforts to even the series.

In Mitchell’s absence, Caris LeVert will step into the starting lineup. LeVert’s performance will be crucial for the Cavaliers’ chances of pulling off an upset and levelling the series. However, the responsibility won’t rest solely on his shoulders.

“Everyone will need to step up,” stated Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “Replacing Donovan’s contributions isn’t something one player can do. Each player needs to excel in their role and bring their best to the game tonight.”

Mitchell has been pivotal for the Cavaliers’ offense during the playoffs. Over the team’s first ten games, he averaged 29.6 points and 4.7 assists per game, contributing 30.3% of the team’s total postseason points. Allen, who hasn’t played since Game 4 of the first round, was the only other player scoring at least 15 points per game.

Despite Mitchell’s efforts, the Cavaliers have only reached the 100-point mark three times in the playoffs. One of these occasions was their surprising Game 2 victory against the Celtics, where they shot 54.7% from the field and made 13 three-pointers. Without Mitchell’s offensive leadership, the Cavaliers will struggle to match the Celtics’ high-powered offense. Their best strategy might be to attempt as many three-point shots as possible and hope for a successful night from beyond the arc.

If the Cavaliers manage to defend their home court and win Game 4, they would tie the series at 2-2, potentially extending it to six games. This could provide enough time for both Donovan Mitchell and Allen to return. However, a win for the Celtics would give them a 3-1 series lead, making it extremely difficult for the Cavaliers to recover, even with a fully healthy roster.