Cavs Handle Business in Orlando, Dean Wade Delivers Late, Mitchell Takes Over
Running on fumes after a 3 a.m. arrival in Orlando, the Cavaliers could’ve leaned on fatigue as an excuse. Instead, they put their heads down and handled business - the kind of win that doesn’t show up in highlight reels but resonates in locker rooms.
No drama. No letdowns.
Just a 119-105 road victory over the Magic on the second night of a back-to-back.
Dean Wade set the tone early and slammed the door shut late. Over the final five and a half minutes, Wade was everywhere - blocking shots, grabbing boards, swiping a steal, and drilling a clutch corner three that stopped Orlando’s momentum cold. It was a masterclass in doing the little things that win games.
Wade’s take afterward? “Back-to-backs are 85 percent mental.” His play made that philosophy look like gospel.
Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, did what stars do - took over when it mattered most. After a relatively quiet first half, Mitchell found his rhythm and poured in 27 second-half points, finishing with six assists and a shooting line that screamed efficiency. When the Cavs needed composure and control, Mitchell delivered both.
Wade joked about the late-game plan: “Give Donovan space. Stay ready.
If the shot comes, take it. And don’t pass it up - or he’ll let you know.”
That blend of trust and accountability is part of what’s made this Cavs team quietly dangerous.
Mitchell returned the favor, calling Wade “the blanket” - a nod to his defensive instincts and rebounding presence. And the numbers backed it up. Cleveland shot 53 percent from the field, 44 percent from deep, and held Orlando well below those marks.
Even with Darius Garland missing his fifth straight game due to a toe injury, the Cavs haven’t missed a beat. The rotation has held steady.
The defense has traveled. And most importantly, the wins are stacking up.
Cleveland has now won six of its last eight and 10 of its last 14. They’re closing in on the Celtics for the East’s second seed, sitting just two games back heading into Sunday.
Wade’s final five and a half minutes looked like this:
- 5:24 - Block
- 3:35 - Steal
- 3:04 - Rebound
- 2:23 - Three-pointer
- 2:02 - Rebound
It’s the kind of stretch that doesn’t always make headlines but wins games - and earns the respect of teammates and coaches alike. As Kenny Atkinson put it: “He’s the ultimate glue guy.”
Vassell Nearing Return for Spurs, but Caution Remains
In San Antonio, there’s optimism - and caution - as Devin Vassell eyes a return to the floor. After nearly a month on the sideline with a left adductor strain, Vassell is expected to suit up Sunday against New Orleans, albeit on a minutes restriction.
He practiced in full Saturday and says he feels ready. But he also knows groin and adductor injuries can be tricky - push too hard too soon, and you’re right back where you started. The layoff tested him mentally, as it often does for players who thrive on rhythm and reps.
Before the injury, Vassell had started every game, averaging 15 points and shooting close to 38 percent from three. That kind of shooting and spacing is a valuable piece of what’s made the Spurs a top-tier team in the West this season. They went 8-5 in his absence, but his return adds another layer to an already dangerous rotation.
The Spurs will bring him along carefully. Long-term health outweighs short-term urgency - especially when you’re playing the long game in a loaded Western Conference.
Pistons’ Bickerstaff Headed to All-Star Game as Coach
In Detroit, the turnaround is no longer a story - it’s a reality. And now, it’s being recognized on the All-Star stage.
J.B. Bickerstaff is headed to Los Angeles as one of the All-Star Game coaches, thanks to Detroit’s league-best record in the East. It’s a well-earned nod for a coach who’s helped transform the Pistons from a rebuilding project into a legitimate contender.
Two years ago, this team was stuck in the mud. Now, they’re one of the NBA’s most consistent and balanced squads.
Last season saw a 30-win jump and a playoff push against New York. This season, they’ve taken another leap - and Bickerstaff has been at the center of it all.
He becomes the first Pistons coach to earn the All-Star honor since Flip Saunders, and the moment feels fitting. Culture change.
Accountability. Buy-in.
The results speak for themselves.
This year’s All-Star Game will feature a U.S. vs. World format, and Detroit will be represented on the sideline. Given how things have gone so far, that feels exactly right.