Donovan Mitchell has never missed the playoffs. He’s also never made the conference finals. That remained true Friday when the Detroit Pistons crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-94, in Game 6 of their second-round series to keep their season alive and force a Game 7 back in Detroit on Sunday. 

Mitchell wasn’t the only Cavalier at fault Friday, but his no-show was the biggest reason why Cleveland lost at home for the first time in the playoffs, and highlighted not only his inconsistent play this postseason, but his Game 6 misery. Mitchell has now lost six consecutive Game 6s, including four close-out games, dating back to his time with the Jazz in the 2020 bubble. 

In 37 minutes, Mitchell had more shots than points and as many turnovers as assists, and the Cavaliers were outscored by 25 — the worst plus/minuts of anyone on the team. His final line: 18 points on 6 of 20 from the field, including 2 of 6 from 3-point range, four rebounds, three assists and three turnovers. This was the third time in 13 playoff games he’s been held under 20 points and the third time he’s shot worst than 40%. 

“I can’t dwell on it, you know what I mean? I missed shots tonight. Do I think some of them were tougher shots that I could have gotten better [looks]? Sure. But I could say that about every game. I’m not here to look at the fact that I missed shots,” Mitchell told reporters. “It’s just the overall force and impact of the game. Tonight I missed shots. I’ve been making them most every game this series and tonight I didn’t. I’m not worried about that. It’s more so everything else.”

“But yeah, we missed an opportunity,” Mitchell continued. “But we can’t do anything about it. We gotta go out there and win on the road.”

Mitchell’s inconsistent series

Mitchell was all over the map in the first round against the Toronto Raptors, but let’s stick to this series versus the Pistons. Here’s a look at Mitchell’s game-by-game numbers:

• Game 1: 23 points (9 of 19 FG, 4 of 10 3FG), four rebounds, two assists, three turnovers
• Game 2: 31 points (11 of 24 FG, 2 of 9 3FG), six rebounds, three assists, two turnovers
• Game 3: 35 points (13 of 24 FG, 2 of 8 3FG), 10 rebounds, four assists, three turnovers
• Game 4: 43 points (13 of 26 FG, 4 of 12 3FG), five rebounds, two assists, one turnover
• Game 5: 21 points (7 of 18 FG, 1 of 8 3FG), four rebounds, three assists, two turnovers
• Game 6: 18 points (6 of 20 FG, 2 of 6 3FG), four rebounds, three assists, three turnovers

Series averages: 28.5 points (45% FG, 28.3% 3FG), 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 turnovers

Even within games, Mitchell has been up and down. In Game 4, he had four points on 1 of 8 shooting in the first half and 39 points on 12 of 18 shooting in the second half. 

Ausar Thompson, one of the best and most versatile defenders in the league, deserves a ton of credit for the work he’s done to slow down Mitchell. He’s been shadowing him all series and using his length, athleticism and physicality to make Mitchell fight for everything, even just to catch the ball sometimes. Notably, on the very first possession of Game 6, Mitchell was called for an offensive foul for trying to shed Thompson. 

Per the NBA’s tracking data, Thompson had guarded Mitchell on 117 possessions in the first five games of this series, and Mitchell scored 15 points on 4 of 19 shooting, including 1 of 11 from 3-point range, and has turned the ball over three times. Tracking data can be wonky at times, but those numbers are stark. 

Mitchell, to no surprise, said he hasn’t been bothered by Thompson, nor does he feel worn down from dealing with the constant pressure. However, it’s worth noting that his last two showings have been his worst of the series. And, outside of Game 4, he’s shooting 32.4% in the fourth quarter, including 3 of 13 in the last two games. 

Regardless of individual matchups, Mitchell has also really struggled to finish at the rim this series and has been ice-cold from 3-point range. Mitchell says he’s just missing shots, and there’s truth to that, but the Pistons’ physicality has been a real factor. 

Mitchell’s Game 6 misery

Mitchell has now lost six consecutive Game 6s, and while he was largely at fault for Friday’s defeat, that hasn’t always been the case. In fact, he’s often been a hard-luck loser. Notably, the Cavaliers lost Game 6 against the Magic in the first round in 2024 despite his 50-point effort, and they lost Game 6 to the Raptors earlier this postseason on an absurd buzzer-beating 3-pointer by RJ Barrett. 

Let’s take a closer look at Mitchell’s Game 6 history. 

The good news for Mitchell and the Cavs is that they still have another chance, and they already have experience this postseason with a Game 7. 

How can Mitchell bounce back in Game 7?

Yes, Thompson has done an excellent job as the primary defender on Mitchell. Yes, Mitchell hasn’t shot the ball well even when he’s gotten clean looks. And yes, Mitchell’s inconsistency has been frustrating. But he’s had three 30-point games in this series and is still one of the most talented scorers in the league. 

It’s not inconceivable that he could have a big night in Game 7 and lead the Cavaliers to victory, but it will take a concerted effort from him and the team — and perhaps some help from the officials on how the game’s called. 

“Getting him in the open court more where they can’t get their hands on him,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said, when asked how the team can get Mitchell going. “When it’s in the halfcourt, it’s clutch, grab, hold. We gotta get him in space, in the open court — kick aheads, kick acrosses, all that. But that was a logjam tonight. All of us, we had a tough time getting free. At the end of the day, that’s on us. This is how the game’s being called, we have to adjust.”

So far in the playoffs, the Cavaliers are 4-1 when Mitchell scores 30-plus points and 3-5 when he does not. He’ll likely have to get to that number, and maybe even higher, in order for the Cavaliers to win Game 7 on the road and advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2018. 

“Everything you want is on the other side of hard. Nothing good comes easy,” Mitchell said. “That’s how you have to look at it. We could sit here and dwell on this and carry that into Sunday, but what’s that gonna do for us?”

Rangers have serious transfer interest in Sunderland forward Finn Geragusian, according to the Sunderland Echo. Gers manager Danny Rohl wants to bolster his attack at the Scottish Premiership club and is keen on bringing Geragusian to Ibrox this summer. The 18-year-old England-born Rangers target has yet to make his senior debut for the Black Cats. However, Geragusian already plays for Armenia at senior level having qualified through his father, and the Light Blues could face stiff competition for his services.

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He has been involved in 35 goals in his last 60 appearances for Sunderland’s under-18s and under-21s and the club are hoping he signs a new deal. Geragusian is out of contract this summer after signing a two-year scholarship deal with the club two seasons ago. Rangers and other suitors will have to agree a compensation fee with the Stadium of Light club for his services or face a potential tribunal process to determine a fee.

He has 13 goals and three assists in 29 appearances this term after ending last term with 12 goals and seven assists across 31 matches. Geragusian’s potential is huge and pipping others to him could be great for the Bears. The Light Blues are desperate to mount a stronger title challenge next term after four defeats in their last four games ended their race against Celtic and Hearts.

They need to improve in the final third and the Sunderland starlet could be a decent addition, albeit one for the future. Geragusian can also play on the right wing and the opportunity to move to Rangers could appeal to him if he is guaranteed first-team football. He has several attacking options ahead of him at Sunderland and is unlikely to break into the senior ranks anytime soon.

However, the Light Blues could offer him the chance to play senior football sooner rather than later.

Plans for Zakouma did not initially include the Flemington Melbourne Cup ballot race until his most recent effort on the course.

Boasting three wins in a row, Zakouma lined up at Flemington on Anzac Day, heavily favoured to dominate the 2000m benchmark 100 showdown.

The event quickly soured for the Grahame Begg runner, who was pinned on the inside trailing the field and only emerged late.

Bypassing a break for spring races, Zakouma will instead contest the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) this coming Saturday at Flemington.

As the second in a series of 10 races, the Andrew Ramsden delivers a direct path into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November.

Begg described Zakouma’s last-start as akin to a 2000m workout, yet the set-weights format raises flags for Begg, especially with Zakouma allotted the same impost as Sydney Cup winner Changingoftheguard despite his latent distance prowess.

“He’s got to go the distance and he’s not well-weighted under the conditions,” Begg said.

“I don’t understand why it’s a set-weights race.

“Outside three-year-old Classic races, I can’t think of one, while the winner gets free passage into the Melbourne Cup and then goes back to a handicap, so why not make this a handicap.”

Zakouma has not ventured beyond 2000m in Begg’s camp, originating from Pat Carey and Harris Walker based at Mornington.

In his juvenile phase, the gelding finished second over 2200m at Bairnsdale and fourth at 2400m on Caulfield’s track before joining Begg.

Begg desires a moderate speed Saturday, allowing Zakouma to track quietly in his bid to handle the trip.

“Changingoftheguard rolls forward, Sir Kingsford rolls forward, so I think they’ll go a good enough clip and normally at the 700 (metres) in these races, the wave starts coming,” Begg said.

“What we’ll try to do is put him to sleep, give him some clean air, and give him one crack at them.

“Whether he’s up to the task and can run the journey, that’s something we’ll find out on Saturday.

“But he goes to the race in good order.”

For the Andrew Ramsden, punters can find attractive betting sites with specials on Zakouma’s performance.

Atalanta welcome Bologna to the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo for the penultimate round of Serie A games on Sunday. Following Inter Milan’s victory in the Coppa Italia, Atalanta know that a seventh-placed finish in the standings will guarantee them UEFA Conference League football next season.

La Dea are in seventh place on 58 points, and cannot catch sixth-placed Como on 65 points.

Interestingly, the team stopping Atalanta from having mathematical certainty of Conference League qualification are their next opponents, Bologna. The Rossoblu are in eighth place on 52 points, six behind Atalanta, and a draw or loss for Bologna would ensure their opponents finish seventh.

Atalanta are coming into this game on a high, having defeated AC Milan 3-2 at the San Siro on Sunday. The Nerazzurri raced to a 3-0 lead before late goals from the Milan giants cut the deficit, but Atalanta held on to win.

Bologna also impressed in their recent victory over second-placed Napoli away at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Monday.

Goals from Federico Bernardeschi, Riccardo Orsolini, and Jonathan Rowe earned the Felsinei a 3-2 victory to remember. Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alisson Santos scored the goals for Napoli.

Atalanta vs Bologna head-to-head stats and key numbers

• In 129 matches between these rivals, the head-to-head record is evenly matched, with 47 wins each and 35 draws.
• When the teams met earlier this season, Atalanta won 2-0 away at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with Nikola Krstovic scoring a brace.
• Atalanta’s defense has been excellent this season, conceding less than a goal per game on average, with 34 goals shipped in 36 matches. In comparison, Bologna conceded 43 goals in their 36 games.

Atalanta vs Bologna prediction

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino is one of the most promising young tacticians in Serie A, and he has done well in Bergamo. La Dea are defensively disciplined, but several of their center-backs are unavailable for this match, with Isak Hien suspended following a yellow card against Milan, and Berat Djimsiti and Giorgio Scalvini struggling with fitness issues.

Bologna will aim to exploit wide areas through wing maestro Riccardo Orsolini, who will try to benefit from the home side’s centre-back crisis by cutting inside and looking for shooting opportunities or final passes.

However, Atalanta are difficult to beat at home, and we expect them to emerge victorious against visiting Bologna.

Prediction: Atalanta 2-1 Bologna

Atalanta vs Bologna betting tips

Tip 1: Atalanta to win

Tip 2: Both teams to score

Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals