The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Donovan Mitchell for Game 4 of their series against the Boston Celtics Monday night, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN Sources: Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell — who’s averaging nearly 30 points in playoffs — will miss Game 4 vs. the Boston Celtics tonight with a left calf strain. Huge loss for Cavs in a telltale home game down 2-1 in series. pic.twitter.com/fCaUymh6i0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 13, 2024
Mitchell missed shootaround for the Cavaliers earlier this morning and was listed as questionable with a calf strain throughout the day on the official NBA injury report.
When discussing Mitchell's status with reporters before Game 4, Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said “If he’s in a position where he can’t protect himself, then he won’t play.”
Mitchell is averaging 29.6 points per game in 10 postseason games and is the third-highest scorer remaining in the NBA playoffs behind Jalen Brunson (32.9 ppg), and Anthony Edwards (32.1 ppg). Mitchell has also played the third-most minutes among all players this postseason at 381.
The Cavaliers opened as 8-point underdogs at home and moved to 11.5-point 'dogs in the wake of the news, and the total has fallen five points from 209.5 to 204.5.
The Cavaliers have struggled against the spread for the playoffs, especially as underdogs, with a 1-5 ATS record as a 'dog. The Celtics have played six of their eight games this postseason as double-digit favorites and they are 4-2 ATS in those games.
