TITLE: Shumpert Urges Cavaliers to Raise Effort After Game 3 Defeat
SLUG: shumpert-urges-cavaliers-to-raise-effort-after-game-3-defeat
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers slipped to the brink of elimination Saturday night, dropping Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals 121-108 to the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena.
Chants of “Let’s Go Knicks” echoed through the Cavs’ home court as Cleveland fell behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. No NBA team has ever overturned such a deficit.
Shumpert’s Challenge
Former Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert, a member of the franchise’s 2016 championship team, criticized the club’s intensity during an appearance on ESPN. He singled out All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, urging him to play through fatigue and injuries.
“When you look at somebody like Donovan Mitchell, you know what he possesses,” Shumpert said. “I don’t care if you’re tired. I don’t care if you’re banged up. … That’s why you’re Spidaman.”
Mitchell scored 23 points but, according to Shumpert, lacked his usual explosiveness. The former Cav added that the team’s problems extend beyond one player, asserting that “half the things that are going on with Cleveland is effort.”
Game 3 Breakdown
Cleveland shot just 38.6 percent from the floor. Evan Mobley led the hosts with 24 points, yet the Knicks controlled the contest after the first quarter behind 30 points from Jalen Brunson and an 11-for-15 shooting night from Mikal Bridges.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night, again at Rocket Arena, where the Cavaliers must win to extend their postseason.
Source: Hoops Wire
