Key notes: Mitchell, Okoro, J. Smith, Dosunmu

Donovan Mitchell have already decided to re-sign with Cavalier before last season ended, but he wanted to find a way to make the team a title contender, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The solution he came up with was to sacrifice some of his role in the attack so other players – esp Evan Mobley – could become more involved.

That strategy has worked perfectly for the Cavs, who have a league-best 31-4 record and are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. They host the West-leading Thunder tonight in the most anticipated game of the season.

“When I re-signed here, my first intention was for us to get the most out of Ev,” Mitchell said. “Never played with a guy like Ev. So how do we get the most out of that partnership? Saw that in that Boston (playoff) series. He’s got the talent. It was more about him believing it on a nightly basis. I want him to think, ‘I’m that guy.’ Now you surround him with a guy like myself and that makes it difficult for any defense. Just being on the floor with him allows him to play a certain way, it’s allowed me to grow as well. “

A five-time All-Star, Mitchell has revitalized basketball in Cleveland since being acquired in a trade two seasons ago. He could have made almost any demand to sign the extension, so it was somewhat surprising that he would share the ball more. Him and new coach Kenny Atkinson began devising the revamped offense and increased the use of Mobley when they met for lunch in June.

“It was my growth,” Mitchell said. “When people ask, ‘What’s the next level? What are you working on?’ That’s what it takes. You don’t know what’s going to come out of it. That’s when you really have to sit down and ask yourself, ‘What do you want? How much do you want to win?’ ?’ When I say these things, I still want to be myself, but I understand when to pick the spot. It’s not easy. But that’s what it takes. Everyone knows me as a scorer, but with this group doesn’t have to be 30 every night. My job as a manager is to figure out where I’m impacting the game that night? It’s about being able to embrace that and be okay with it it – and I am.”

There is more from the central department:

• Isaac Okoro is active for tonight’s contest against Oklahoma City, Fedor states in a separate history. Okoro was cleared to return after missing the last eight games with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. He is expected to come off the bench in a limited role, with Dean Wade will be in the starting lineup, according to Fedor. Shooting specialist Sam Merrill will miss his third straight fight with a sprained right ankle, adds Fedor, who Cavalier still haven’t fielded a fully healthy team in any game this season.
• Before hosting Taurus tonight, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle talked about the offseason loss of Jalen Smith in free agency, tweets Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. He said the organization hoped to keep Smith but could not compete with the offer he received from Chicago. “We wanted him back, but we were limited in how much we could pay him,” Carlisle said. “… He had a very good year and he had a great second year for us that put him up for the Bulls. This was an opportunity he had to take because of the financial aspect.”
• Taurus guard Ayo Dosunmu has made significant improvements with his strained lower right calf, according to KC Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Coach Billy Donovan said Dosunmu has started running on a treadmill and “is getting closer and closer to playing.”