Donovan Mitchell's More than a Difference Maker, He's Utah's Entire Engine

Donovan Mitchell returned to Utah’s lineup for the first time since April 16th and did not disappoint. He had a team-high 25 points and shot 50% from deep. In Game 1, the Jazz managed to score only 109 points, but had 141 on Wednesday night with Spida back in the squad, setting a franchise playoff record. Utah was able to record a .588 win percentage when Mitchell was out due to an ankle injury, and this number was at a whopping .764 before he missed time, that fueled their regular season title.

INTERESTING FACTS

Utah had a .764 win percentage before Mitchell’s ankle injury, which dropped to .588 in his absence
Jazz scored 32 more points in Game 2 with Mitchell than they did in Game 1 without him
UTA set a franchise playoff record with 141 PTS during 1 GP
This year’s Jazz team finished with the best record in the NBA outright for the 1st time in franchise history
Utah Jazz recorded the most 3PM/GP (16.1) during a regular season in NBA history

Odds vs. MEM: UTA -455 (Spread -10.0)
UTA Stock Price: $13.00 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

DONOVAN MITCHELL’S MORE THAN A DIFFERENCE-MAKER, HE’S UTAH’S ENGINE

COLORS KEY | FULL JAZZ OUTLOOK

In Game 1 of the series, Ja Morant was hitting clutch shots late in the game to keep Memphis ahead, and it was clear Utah was missing someone to answer back. This is typically where Donovan Mitchell shines, as he showed in Game 2. It is obvious that having him in the lineup changes the outcome of games, but he does even more as a leader and getting his team going. Utah needs Spida at his best if they want to make a deep run this postseason, as he isn’t just a difference-maker, he’s their engine.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

25 points for Spida in his return from injury

25 PTS, 5 3PM for @spidadmitchell as the @utahjazz tie the series 1-1 in his return to action! #TakeNote #NBAPlayoffs
Game 3: Saturday at 9:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/e4XVxgOtdP
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2021