From 4 points to tying a playoff record with a 39-point half, Donovan Mitchell flips Game 4 for Cavs
Donovan Mitchell had his worst first half in a playoff game since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in September 2022. The All-Star guard followed it up with one of the best 24-minute stretches by a player in NBA playoff history Monday night. After scoring only four points in the first half, Mitchell responded with 39 in the second half, tying the NBA playoff record for most points in a half as the Cavaliers rallied for a 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had his worst first half in a playoff game since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in September 2022. No problem. The All-Star guard followed it up with one of the best 24-minute stretches by a player in NBA playoff history Monday night.
After scoring only four points in the first half, Mitchell responded with 39 in the second half, tying the NBA playoff record for most points in a half as the Cavaliers rallied for a 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. “It’s pretty impressive. I'm not sure I’ve seen in the playoffs a turnaround like that where a guy is struggling and just absolutely turns the switch and complete opposite of the first half,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said.
Mitchell equaled Eric “Sleepy” Floyd's record on a free throw with 27. 6 seconds remaining. He had a chance to break the record, set in 1987 when Floyd's Golden State Warriors faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals, but missed his second foul shot.
“Everybody let me know that I missed a free throw to break the record, though," Mitchell said. "I will say that, but we’re two and two headed to Detroit. That was what we came home to do and that’s all that matters.