Heat’s Mitchell continues to provide assists, but not at the cost of turnovers
INDIANAPOLIS — The formula has been basic and to the point for Davion Mitchell this season. Which basically is all you can ask from a point guard. Keep the assists up, and keep the turnovers down.
Both categories are a source of pride, and among the reasons the Heat point guard has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio much of the season. And a reason, among others, why Friday night’s blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers was so disappointing. On the night the Heat allowed a franchise-record 149 points , Mitchell closed with four turnovers, one off his season high, after committing two or fewer in 13 of the previous 14 games.
With just four assists in that game, it dropped him from the league lead in assist-to-turnover ratio to fifth. Prior to Friday night’s disappointment, Mitchell had been running 1-2 with Indiana Pacers guard and long-time Heat nemesis T. J.
McConnell, Sunday’s opponent at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at the conclusion of the Heat’s three-game trip. “I try not to look at it,” Mitchell said of standing most of the season at the top of the NBA assist-to-turnover leader board. “I just go out there and do whatever it takes to win.
” Mitchell said his approach is not one based on statistics. “I don’t try to go out there and get assists,” he said. “I just try to make the right play.