Mitchell has a lot of responsibility for defeating the Cavaliers after two consecutive games

On May 8, in the fierce NBA playoffs, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in two consecutive games, a result that surprised many fans and experts. As the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers performed well in the regular season, and Donovan Mitchell was the team's core leader. However, after entering the playoffs, his performance was disappointing. The Pacers' victory not only demonstrates their team strength, but also exposes the shortcomings of the Cavaliers, especially Mitchell, at critical moments.

###The gap between the glory of the regular season and the playoffs

The Cavaliers performed well in the regular season in the 2023-2024 season and entered the playoffs with the record number one in the Eastern Conference. Mitchell averaged 28.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, shooting as high as 47.5% from the field and 38.6% from three-point shooting percentage. His outstanding performance made the Cavaliers one of the most competitive teams in the East, and were even optimistic about having the strength to reach the finals. However, the stage of the playoffs is completely different from that of the regular season, with improved defensive intensity and more clear targeted tactics of the opponent. Mitchell's efficiency dropped sharply when facing the Pacers' defense, with only 22 points per game in two games, shooting less than 40% of his field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage fell below 30%.

###Pacers' team basketball

Unlike the Cavaliers relying on Mitchell's solo fight, the Pacers show a more balanced team basketball. As the team's core possession, Halliburton averaged 21 points and 10 assists per game, perfectly connecting the team's offense. Turner's defense and scoring in the interior also played a key role, averaging 18 points and 3 blocks per game in both games. In addition, the Pacers' bench depth is far greater than the Cavaliers, and Mathering and Hilder's scoring ability at critical moments makes the Cavaliers unable to defend. The Pacers’ victory is not accidental, but a perfect manifestation of teamwork and tactical execution.

###Mitchell's "data brush" controversy

Mitchell's outstanding performance in the regular season made him one of the popular candidates for the MVP, but his sluggish performance in the playoffs once again sparked controversy over whether he was a "data brush". The so-called "data brush" refers to players being able to accumulate beautiful data through high shooting and a large amount of ball rights in the regular season, but they cannot continue to perform efficiently under high-intensity defense in the playoffs. Mitchell has absolute ball rights in the Cavaliers' system, and regular season wins depend heavily on his personal abilities. However, the playoff defense is more tight, and opponents will lay out his weaknesses, and Mitchell's performance in dealing with double-teaming and defensive pressure is obviously not ideal.

###The Cavaliers' tactical dilemma

Cavaliers' head coach Bickstaff's tactical arrangement in the playoffs was also questioned. Too much reliance on Mitchell's singles has led to the team's offense being monotonous and easy to predict. In contrast, the Pacers' Carlisle coach is flexible and versatile, and has made precise strikes against the Cavaliers' defensive weaknesses. Other Cavaliers players such as Garland and Mobley did not play as well in the playoffs. Garland's shooting percentage was less than 40%, and Mobley was at a disadvantage in the inside confrontation. The team's overall poor performance cannot be attributed to Mitchell, but as a leader, he obviously needs to take on more responsibilities.

###Comparison of historical data

Looking back at Mitchell's career, his performance in the playoffs has been ups and downs. During his time at the Jazz, he had a stunning performance of 50+ in a single game, but he also became invisible at critical moments many times. This season's playoff performance seems to continue this trend. By contrast, the Pacers' Halliburton, though young, showed a more age-than-age maturity in the playoffs, and his organization and scoring ability made the Pacers' offense smoother. This contrast further highlights Mitchell's lack of leadership.

###Future Challenges

For the Cavaliers, two consecutive losses have put them in a passive position. If Mitchell cannot adjust his condition in time, the team is likely to be eliminated in the first round. This will not only put the Cavaliers' season efforts to waste, but it may also cause turmoil within the team. Mitchell needs to prove in the next game that he is not only a star in the regular season, but also a leader who can lead the team to victory in the playoffs. Otherwise, there will only be more and more doubts about his "data brush".

###Conclusion

Pacers' victory is a team basketball victory, while the Cavaliers' defeat reveals the disadvantages of over-reliance on the stars. Mitchell's performance is certainly disappointing, but this is also the charm of the playoffs - it tests not only the players' skills, but also the psychological quality and leadership skills. The next game will be the ultimate test for Mitchell and the Cavaliers. We will wait and see whether they can reverse the decline.