Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz hand LeBron another SLC loss, beating Cavaliers, 104-101

As Donovan Mitchell’s rookie season progresses, so do his accomplishments.

First, he forced his way into Utah’s starting lineup. Then, he became the leading scorer and go-to guy for the Jazz. Next, he vaulted to the top of opposing scouting reports. Now, he’s turning in game-changing performances.

Utah’s 104-101 win on Saturday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers was another step in Mitchell’s process, as he scored a game-high 29 points and was the best player on a floor that included LeBron James.

Sure, James celebrated his 33rd birthday with 29 points of his own. But it was Utah’s baby-faced rookie that made the biggest plays at the biggest moments — and not James, who left Vivint Smart Home Arena with his seventh consecutive loss in the state of Utah.

“He’s a player,” James said. “Kid’s got a lot of game. They’ve been riding that wave all season. He’s not afraid of the moment, he just goes out there and plays ball. They put him situations where he can succeed, and he’s taking advantage of that.”

In defeating the Cavaliers and closing out a brutal December schedule with a potential confidence-building win, the Jazz received standout performances from a number of sources.

Point guard Ricky Rubio scored 16 points, handed out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds in what may qualify as his best all-around game of the season. Derrick Favors scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. Thabo Sefolosha scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and played stellar defense on James down the stretch. Rodney Hood hit timely 3-pointers on his way to 12 points.

But it was Mitchell who stole the show. He scored 18 of his 29 points in the second half and 11 of those were in the fourth quarter, as he continually sliced his way through Cleveland’s defense off the dribble on his way to at the rim. He handed out six assists, grabbed four rebounds and came up with three steals. He played standout defense all night.

“I just have to have no conscience when it comes to certain things,” Mitchell said. “I missed a few shots that I normally would’ve made. And it was about just moving on to the next shot and making the right play at the right times. I tried to treat the last two minutes like it was the first two. I didn’t want to overthink it.”

For much of the first half, it seemed as if the Cavaliers were intent on running away from the Jazz. Cleveland led by as many as 14 points in the first two quarters, as James scored 14 points in the first quarter.

But the Jazz were resilient. They closed the first half with a run and went into halftime trailing just 53-48. And then, they did the atypical during the month of December — they played a good third quarter, going on a 19-3 run after halftime.

The Jazz defended as well as they have all month in that third quarter and opened up a 15-point lead, then were able to survive several Cleveland runs at the end.

The Cavaliers pulled within 98-97 on a 3-pointer by Kevin Love with under a minute remaining. Mitchell then made the biggest play of the game, driving past J.R. Smith and finishing at the rim to make it 100-97. On the next possession, Sefolosha stoned James in the lane, grabbed the rebound and made two free throws.

“I thought we did everything we could to try to give ourselves the best opportunity we could,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “LeBron is special and there’s nobody more unique. You just do the best you can and hope for the best.”