Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 71 factors, the NBA’s single-game finest since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point efficiency in January 2006, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied previous the visiting Chicago Bulls in time beyond regulation, 145-134, on Monday.
Mitchell’s efficiency units a Cavaliers franchise file, is tied for the eighth-most factors in an NBA recreation, and places him in firm with simply 5 different gamers in NBA historical past to attain 71 factors or extra in a contest: Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor and David Robinson.
Mitchell poured in 13 factors throughout the decisive further interval, together with three of his seven complete made 3-pointers on the night time. But had it not been for one more three-point play in regulation, his alternative to make historical past wouldn’t have come.
With the Cavaliers trailing 130-127 after a pair of Coby White free throws with 7.4 seconds remaining, Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu despatched Mitchell to the foul line. Mitchell made the primary then, after deliberately lacking the second, chased down the carom for a putback to power a 130-130 tie and ship the sport to the additional interval.
Cleveland capitalized on the momentum in time beyond regulation, holding Chicago scoreless for the interval’s first 3:55.
DeMar DeRozan lastly broke the dry spell with the ultimate two of his 44 factors, however the Cavaliers had been in agency management at that juncture and headed for a second win over the Bulls in as many video games.
Cleveland claimed a 103-102 victory in Chicago on Saturday.
In addition to his 71 factors, Mitchell flirted with a triple-double, dishing 11 assists and grabbing eight rebounds. Kevin Love recorded a double-double for the Cavs with 12 factors and 17 rebounds.
Cedi Osman got here off the bench for Cleveland to attain 19 factors and knock down 4 of 11 from 3-point vary — second-best among the many Cavaliers after Mitchell’s 7-of-15 effort.
Jarrett Allen added 21 factors for Cleveland.
DeRozan’s 44-point effort was his fourth recreation of 41 factors or extra this season. Zach LaVine added 26 factors and Nikola Vucevic registered a double-double of 20 factors and 13 rebounds within the loss.
—Field Level Media/Reuters
