In another matchup where the Utah Jazz had to do everything they could to lose, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs pulled away late to win 122-113.
It’s another example of the Utah Jazz having to manipulate games to make sure they lose. What’s incredible is that this is against Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and a Cavaliers team that’s 4th in the East. What’s interesting about watching this game is that there wasn’t a lot of emotion watching Donovan Mitchell. There have been players in the past that Jazz fans have hated and felt residual emotion about after they left. A good example is Gordon Hayward, who left in a very cowardly fashion. The difference with Donovan Mitchell, and maybe it’s because Mitchell did give the Jazz an opportunity to get assets back for him, isn’t getting a lot of emotion from fans, almost nothing at all. Utah seems to be completely over their Ex… player, and it’s because they’re in a much better situation than before.
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The time with Donovan Mitchell, even though it had some really fun moments, was like a toxic relationship. It’s now nearly four years later, and it feels like the Jazz have spent the last four years working on themselves, finding out who they are. The best part? They’re better for it and will be better than they ever were with Mitchell and Gobert. The core the Jazz have now is deeper, more talented, and more well-rounded than they ever had in the previous iteration. Oh, and they’re better coached as well. Keyonte George and Walker Kessler came in the Gobert trade, and you can bet the Jazz wouldn’t take that trade back. In the Cleveland trade, Utah received Lauri Markkanen and have picks to come down the road that’ll be helping the depth as the Jazz compete for the title. In the absence of Mitchell, they were able to draft players they traded for Jaren Jackson Jr., and one of their own picks became Ace Bailey. It’s a core that should be really good next year and for years to come.
Tonight, just like every game with the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell got his points (34), but it was not a victory that felt dominant, it felt like a soft win. It’s not the type of win I’d be excited about if I’m a Cavs fan.
For Utah, there’s a lot to be excited about. It’s a loss that will help lead the Jazz to keep their pick while also showcasing some of their young talent that will contribute to wins next year. Ace Bailey continues to show more and more consistent flashes of solid play. Tonight, he had 19 points on 8/15 shooting from the field and 3/6 from three. He also showed more ability playmaking with 5 assists. More and more, you see him being comfortable handling the ball. Bailey is never going to be Kyrie Irving handling the ball, but he is learning more and more how to handle the ball in situations, so he’s not turning it over or wasting possessions. Cody Williams had another impressive outing with 26 points on 11/22 shooting, with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He’s also proving to be yet another nice young piece that is developing nicely with the team. Utah also has some pieces in Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski, who are putting up consistently good numbers. Filipowski is showing some great late-season signs, and Sensabaugh has found a real groove lately, scoring at a high level in these games. That consistency from Filipowski and Sensabaugh is a fantastic sign and will make them invaluable next year, even if they may be doing more spot minutes.
All in all, it’s a nice night for the Jazz. Maybe the nicest thing was seeing Donovan Mitchell. Not because he was missed, but because he’s not missed, maybe at all. It’s a great feeling to feel free of all the baggage of the past and enter a new chapter that feels like it’s been done the right way.