There was no question that Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell was one of the team’s most important players down the stretch of the season.
Regardless of whether he started or came off the bench–a role he was relegated to due to injuries elsewhere, where he was able to provide lineup balance–he provided instant impact.
Mitchell’s also been one of the Heat’s best shotmakers late in games, albeit in a small sample. Since his arrival, he’s 5-of-12 from the floor in “clutch” situations–defined by situations with a point differential of five or fewer points in the final five minutes–and 3-of-7 from 3-point range.
His clutch shotmaking came to fruition Friday with their season on the line against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring nine of Miami’s 17 points in overtime en route to a 123-114 victory, clinching the No. 8 seed in the East.
While the Heat became the first team in NBA History to win two play-in games on the road, Mitchell made history himself, snapping Dwyane Wade’s 13-year-old postseason record for most points in an overtime period.
Except, it didn’t count.
Mitchell’s nine points–which came on three 3s–didn’t count because the NBA does not count play-in stats toward a team’s regular-season or postseason record.
We will all remember Mitchell’s miraculous overtime in our heart, though it won’t officially be etched into postseason history (even though it should).
Wade’s eight overtime points came in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, which resulted in a 115-111 Heat victory. The Hall of Fame guard tallied 23 total, shooting 8-of-15 from the floor with six rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks in 44 minutes. Mitchell scored 16 points in the Heat’s postseason-clinching win, making just five shots with five assists.
His impact has consistently gone beyond the box score, but accounting for 33 percent of the team’s nine second-half 3-pointers in one period is no small feat. Tyler Herro was also very good in overtime, but Miami’s 6-foot-2 guard made defining plays on both ends down the stretch when Miami needed it the most.
And, now, the Miami Heat are headed to the postseason with house money because of it.
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GO HEAT!!!
One of smartest move that Heat made is getting him.
Man, won’t the world be surprised when the best D. Mitchell on the court in the first round *isn’t* wearing a Cavs jersey.
It’s the hair FTW
Awesome video of the team showing Mitchell their appreciation. Very cool to see and no doubt his best NBA memory so far. The good news is he can make an even bigger one in round 1.