Jrue Holiday discusses Boston Celtics strategy for fatigue Donovan Mitchell in Game 3
Boston Celtics defeat Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Semifinals with strong defense on Donovan Mitchell and team effort.
In a thrilling Game 3 showdown between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics strategically chose not to put their best perimeter defenders on Donovan Mitchell. Instead, Al Horford and Sam Hauser stepped up to contain Mitchell, who still managed to score an impressive 33 points on efficient shooting.
Jrue Holiday, who had a career night in a Celtics uniform, revealed that the key to containing Mitchell was to play quickly with their guards and tire him out. Holiday's aggressive approach on offense forced Mitchell to expend energy on defense, leading to fatigue as the game progressed.
Mitchell, the Cavs' main scoring threat, has been shouldering much of the offensive load for Cleveland in the playoffs. While Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have also contributed, Garland has struggled to live up to his hefty contract in this series and beyond.
Boston's defensive strategy has focused on challenging the rest of Cleveland's roster to step up and provide support. Caris LeVert has been a bright spot off the bench, but the lack of production from the rest of the second unit has been a concern for the Cavs.
If the Celtics can continue to stifle Cleveland's supporting cast and force Mitchell to carry the offensive burden, this series may not last long. Boston's team effort, led by Holiday's aggressive play and solid contributions from Horford and Hauser, has put them in a strong position to advance in the playoffs.
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