Donovan Mitchell proves Alex Caruso's excellence is transcending conferences

Alex Caruso is really good at basketball. So good, in fact, that Donovan Mitchell mentioned him during his post-game press conference after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. He was asked about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense on Josh Hart, and he likened it to the way the San Antonio Spurs have guarded Caruso. But both have made the defenses pay.

After getting torched by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, the Cavs sent more pressure his way on Thursday night. As a result, they have Hart a ton of space to shoot – just like the Spurs have been giving Caruso a ton of space to shoot. But both Caruso and Hart (at least, in Game 2) have stepped up to the plate.

They are two of the best role players in the NBA, and Caruso is so good that his good-ness has transcended conferences.

Donovan Mitchell has Alex Caruso on his mind

Obviously, the Thunder weren’t able to take home the win in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, but Caruso absolutely stole the show. The Spurs gave him space, and in return, Caruso gave them buckets.

He finished that game with 31 points, two rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks while shooting an impressive 11-of-19 from the field and 8-of-14 from deep range.

In Game 2, a bounce-back Thunder victory, while Caruso didn’t put up the same monster numbers he did in Game 1, he was still an extremely impactful piece of the puzzle.

Caruso put up 17 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 5-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc.

For the second straight game, the Spurs were okay with letting him shoot, and for the second straight game (though to a lesser degree), Caruso made them pay for that decision.

That’s exactly what the Cavs have been doing to Josh Hart. And in the first game, it worked. Hart didn’t end up playing much down the stretch, as Mike Brown rolled with Landry Shamet, who hit some big-time shots.

But in Game 2, Hart poured in 26 points to go along with four rebounds and seven assists. He shot 10-of-21 from the field and 5-of-11 from deep. Much like Caruso, he made the defense pay for leaving him open.

Caruso is on Mitchell’s mind. So is Hart. The Spurs and Cavs have employed similar defensive strategies in that one small regard, but it’s worked out much better for one team than the other.

But above all else, Hart and Caruso have definitely made their respective opponents pay.

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