70-point club members meet as Cavaliers host Suns

Donovan Mitchell will get a lot of focus when he comes off a record-setting performance for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their home game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

With the Cavaliers trailing by 21 points and just under two minutes to play in Monday’s first half against the Chicago Bulls, Mitchell kicked off a historic night in quick succession, leading to a franchise record-setting performance.

Mitchell gained momentum in the second half, scoring 24 points in the third quarter, 18 in the fourth quarter and 13 more in overtime as the Cavaliers stunned the Bulls 145-134.

Cleveland is now 6-0 in overtime this season.

Mitchell, who had failed to reach the 20-point mark in three of his previous four games, led Cleveland with 16 points in the first half, but the Cavs trailed 65-47 at the break. That’s when Mitchell inspired an offense that shot 57.1 percent in the third quarter and scored 44 points to start the rally.

The Cavs tied the game 123-123 with just over a minute left on a Kevin Love free throw. Cleveland was down 130-127 with just 4.4 seconds to play when Mitchell hit one of two free throws. He missed the second one on purpose and converted a layup that lined up in closing time to send the game into overtime.

Mitchell joins exclusive company that includes Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and Elgin Baylor as NBA players with at least 70 points in a game. David Thompson, David Robinson and Devin Booker have also reached the 70-point plateau.

“I did it with the effort when I came back and won and how I won. For me, that’s what it is, honestly,” Mitchell said. “I am very blessed and I am humbled that I am in this company. I always believe that I can be one of the best players in this league, but I have to keep working.

Booker was the last to reach 70 points in March 2017 for the Suns against the Boston Celtics.

“It’s a big milestone but at the end of the day, they’re winning at the highest level – and that’s my main goal – but to be in the record books with them is incredible.”

Booker and the Suns are looking to conclude their season-long six-game road trip on a winning note. Phoenix has lost three straight and four of five on the trip so far.

The Suns were defeated by the New York Knicks 102-83 on Monday and afterward, Suns center Deandre Ayton voiced his frustration.

“I’m not used to no-fight in us,” said Ayton. “I’m used to us being down a hundred and we’re still going to come back and win the game, or we still have the mentality like we’re going to win this game. Now, we don’t have that, so that’s what happened in the game and why we lost.

The Suns scored just 11 points in the first quarter and 31 points in the first half, both on the season.

Suns coach Monty Williams accepted responsibility.

“Mentally and emotionally, I have to make guys stronger,” Williams said.

Phoenix has lost six of its last seven overall to slide to eighth in the Western Conference.

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