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Donovan Mitchell scores 50, Cavs lose to Magic; coaching was a problem - Terry Pluto

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - This was hard to watch.

That's what I was thinking while watching Donovan Mitchell try to drag the Cavs into the second round of the playoffs.

Mitchell wasn't just good. He wasn't even great. He was EPIC.

The Cavs scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and Mitchell scored ALL OF THEM.

Here's the bad news: Orlando 103, Cavs 96.

The Cavs just lost a key playoff game with Mitchell scoring 50 points. They lost a playoff game with Mitchell scoring more than half of the Cavs' total points.

You can't win a playoff game that way.

And that's why the Cavs will face Orlando in Game 7 Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

To repeat: None of this is the fault of Mitchell, who also was dealing with a cranky knee. He scored most of those 50 the hard way, driving to the rim, taking bumps and shoves, hitting rugged layups and short flip shots.

In terms of basketball, it was a gutsy, courageous performance.

But it wasn't enough for Cleveland.

A COACHING PROBLEM

This is where coach J.B. Bickerstaff had to step in and demand his team to RUN SOME PLAYS.

Over and over, all the Cavs did was put the ball in the hands of Mitchell in that final quarter and get out of the way. Mitchell played all 12 minutes in the final period. He was 7 of 13 from the field in the final period for those 18 points.

The problem was the Cavs made eight turnovers in the fourth quarter … EIGHT.

You can't win a playoff game that way, either.

Darius Garland finished with 21 points, but took only one shot in the fourth quarter. ONE … SHOT.

He played well for three quarters. He was 10 of 16 from the field. He played with confidence and poise. In the fourth quarter, he did have three turnovers.

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But like the rest of his teammates, Garland was trying to force the ball to Mitchell.

When the Cavs came out of huddle after a timeout, did they run a play? Nope.

They just gave the ball to Mitchell. Heck, Max Strus (10 points, 4 of 7 shooting) didn't even take a shot!

THE FOURTH-QUARTER FLOP

Yes, Mitchell desperately wanted to win this game. He played with a huge heart.

But weren't you screaming at the TV, "GET HIM SOME HELP!"

That's why the Cavs were outscored 30-18 in the fourth quarter.

"Donovan draws so many bodies to him, it opens up opportunities for other guys," said Bickerstaff.

But in the fourth quarter, the Cavs needed Bickerstaff to demand that the ball and the players move. A stagnant offense leads to turnovers, as in eight in the fourth quarter.

The loss isn't all on Bickerstaff.

Evan Mobley sprained his ankle in the first half. He continued to play, but scored only three points in 34 minutes. He had seven rebounds and five blocks. It was obvious he was hurting. The Cavs already were without star center Jarrett Allen (bruised ribs).

Nonetheless, the lack of creativity on offense does point to coaching, and that can't happen again in Game 7.

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