Why Donovan Mitchell was motivated to bounce back with a massive third quarter in Game 4

The Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons is now tied up at 2-2. Both teams have defended home court with two wins apiece in their arenas, which makes for another exciting series.

To start the game, Donovan Mitchell only had four points at halftime. It was unacceptable for a superstar player, but he made sure to bounce back with a massive second half, when he scored 39 points.

Donovan Mitchell wanted to prove he deserves to be the Cavs' star player

As the star player for the Cavaliers, Mitchell is under pressure to perform during every game. In the first half of Game 4 against the Pistons, he was not playing well enough to warrant his status.

Thankfully, Mitchell himself knew he had to step up. That was why he came out of the halftime break with guns blazing, scoring 21 points in the third quarter alone, and leading the Cavs on a record-setting 23-0 run.

MORE: How Donovan Mitchell's 43-point masterpiece led the Cavs to tie the series at 2-2

Mitchell should be pleased that he has bounced back after plenty of struggles in the postseason. This was a return to form and what Cavaliers fans and the rest of the NBA community have gotten used to with Mitchell.

"I apologized to the group. I set the tone in Game 3 by going downhill, and going on transition, and I didn't do that one time in the first half... I told my guys it’s on me, and I had to make a statement in the second half," Mitchell said after his Game 4 performance.

Now, the Cavaliers will do their best to win on the road against the Pistons. They have come close, but they want to steal a win and possibly finish the series off in Game 6, which will be back in Cleveland.

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• Kenny Atkinson sends a strong message to the Cavaliers fans ahead of Game 4