The Cleveland Cavaliers’ new backcourt duo put on a show, combining for 51 points to secure a 3-2 series lead in the semi-finals against the Detroit Pistons. Following the win, James Harden opened up about finding his rhythm playing alongside Donovan Mitchell.

After a slow start to the postseason, Harden stepped up to carry the Cavaliers with 30 points in a pivotal Game 5. And as per Harden, that slow start was an unknown territory for him.

“This is new for me. Like we keep talking about, I have been only here two and a half months,” Harden said in the post-match press conference. “Things we’re going through is all new.”

Moreover, at 36 years old, James Harden has embraced a role that many veterans take up in the late end of their careers: Playing second fiddle. “Learning how to be the second option and feel and play off Donovan,” Harden added. “When to be aggressive, you know, when he has it going.”

He then praised Donovan Mitchell for his career night, scoring 43 points. Out of which, he scored 39 points in the second half alone. Describing it, Harden said, “It’s something that we haven’t seen in a very, very long time. So, it’s like he is capable of doing that every single game.”

Above all, James Harden stressed the task at hand, which is to find out when to be aggressive and when to be a playmaker. Given the veteran’s records, he is capable of doing both. “We are building in the right direction throughout the process.”

James Harden and Donovan Mitchell: The growing camaraderie

Ever since James Harden’s entry into the team, Donovan Mitchell has shown excitement in the team-up. In an interview with The Athletic, he said, “I am excited about what he can do for our team as a whole. We want the same time. We both want a championship.”

Looking at the situation, the duo is just nine wins away from claiming their first-ever NBA titles. Despite their short span on court together, the duo has shown strong chemistry this offseason.

Even after Game 5 win, Mitchell jokingly took a dig at Harden, asking Lisa Salters to question him about the missed free throws in overtime that nearly cost the game. In response, Harden took it sportively and vowed to work on it.

Next up, they face the Pistons in the decisive Game 6 at home with an opportunity to close the series out and head to the conference finals. Will they carry the momentum forward?

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Written by

Shahul Hameed

Edited by

Koushik Biswas