Backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland shine in Cavs' preseason opener
In their preseason opener, the Cavaliers' new backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 28 points and nine assists in a 113-112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
Acquired in a blockbuster Sept. 1 trade from the Utah Jazz, Mitchell did a little bit of everything in his debut. Leading Cavs starters with 16 points in 19 minutes, Mitchell made 6 of 9 field goals, 3 of 4 on 3-pointers, and added two rebounds, five assists and a steal with two turnovers.
In the first quarter, Mitchell twice got free on the wing for 3s, and he added another from the corner in the second quarter. But the four-time All-Star's most impressive play may have come in the second quarter when he pulled down an offensive rebound, put in a bank shot and was fouled, converting the three-point play.
Mitchell admitted to "a little bit of nerves" in a halftime interview with Serena Winters of Bally Sports.
Garland, coming off his first All-Star season and the recipient of a rookie max contract extension, fared well alongside Mitchell. In 15 minutes, Garland scored 12 points, making 4 of 7 field goals and his only 3 while adding four assists.
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Kevin Love, a five-time All-Star forward, started in place of center/forward Evan Mobley, who could miss up to two weeks with a sprained right ankle suffered Saturday. Love was hot in the first quarter, canning 3 of 4 from long range and finished with nine points.
Neither team played its starters in the second half.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff is trying to sort out a six-player battle for the starting 3 spot, and guard Caris LeVert got the start at that position. In 14 minutes, LeVert scored seven points with one rebound and three assists. Dean Wade got the first call off the bench and added 11 points and five rebounds.
Of the others competing at small forward, Isaac Okoro finished with seven points and three rebounds and Cedi Osman had five points, two rebounds and two assists. Lamar Stevens contributed two points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocked shots. Dylan Windler did not play due to a sprained right ankle.
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The Cavs' preseason home opener is set for 7 p.m. Monday against the 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Coming off a 44-38 season, the Cavs start the regular season Oct. 19 at Toronto, with the home opener Oct. 23 against the Washington Wizards.
76ers at Cavaliers
Time: 7 p.m. Monday
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs backcourt of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland debuts
