10/19/22 Recap: Donovan Mitchell ties Cavs record, Cavs drop heartbreaker on opening night

Donovan Mitchell scores a lay-up
Cavs.com

Tonight was a fun one. And would have been great to look back on had the Cavs beaten the odds of a Garland absence on night one, and what felt like a slight bias from the boys calling the fouls.

Instead, we reminisce with a sour taste in our mouths.

The first quarter was a very sloppy start. Which isn't shocking for the opening night of the regular season. The opening frame was highlighted by missed buckets, many of which seemed like gimmes. At one point, Darius Garland tossed up a lob which both Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert jumped to catch. Needless to say, it ended poorly. Another turnover. But that play just about recaps the first quarter for the Cavs. A high-paced start, but a start that wasn't producing. 

Garland would've loved to have a better start. Going 2/8 with five turnovers before a hand-to-the-face by Gary Trent Jr. would send Garland to the sideline. He would not return, sustaining a left-eye injury as reported by the team. 

Normally for the Cavs, a Garland disappearance would spell catastrophe. Tonight, not. Donovan Mitchell, Cedi Osman, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen would have their hands all over the second half.

Throughout the second half, Donovan Mitchell was everywhere on offense. It was this brilliance that kept the Cavs in the game. Mitchell drew in the defense on every play and was always making the correct pass or making a tough shot.

The extremely efficient Mitchell would go on to pour in 31 points despite the loss. This ties a Cavs record for most points in a team debut. Ever.  

The Cavs were in steady control of a four-point lead for the majority of the third quarter, sans a three-minute rest from Donovan Mitchell, which saw a Raptors run to give them the lead back.

It was the steadiness in Garland's absence that allows the Cavs to take a night-one moral victory from this game. 

They can compete in close games without their starting point guard. Something unheard of at any point last season. 

Evan Mobley also put in a great performance. It felt like every time he had the ball, he was doing the correct thing. His basketball IQ is still high as ever, and he was confident to shoot when given the opportunity. Mobley would go on to finish with 14 points, making 50% of his attempts, and draining one three.

Cedi Osman was the main catalyst of the comeback in the second quarter. JB Bickerstaff relied on him for the majority of the second half. Cedi played well but received an unlucky illegal screen call that was crucial with only a few minutes left. Osman finished with 17 points, going 3-6 from three.

Evan Mobley dribbles by Pascal Siakam
Cavs.com

Later in the game, Jarrett Allen did everything in his power to keep the Cavs ahead. He led a sequence that yielded two blocks, two dunks, and what felt like 10 altered shots.

Unfortunately, the Cavs would give up a lead late. And fans were not pleased, and rightfully so, about the officiating that led to this outcome. 

Usually I'm not a fan of mentioning officiating in regards to the outcome of the game, but it would feel disingenuous to leave it out. It was one of the most crucial parts of the game.

The Cavs felt as though they were hacked at all night, and receiving touch fouls against them at the other end. Late in the game, ticky-tacky calls resulted in a flurry of turnovers as the Raptors turned up the heat. 

This rush resulted in the Raptors getting the lead back late. The Cavs never got it back.

It will be remembered as a disappointing night for the Cavs. But an encouraging one, nonetheless. One that fans will feel they could've won if certain things broke their way (refs). 

Up next, The Cavs will travel to Chicago on Saturday night in search of their first win. 8:00 PM tip-off.