Rick Pitino Explains Why He Hopes Donovan Mitchell Scores ‘75 Points A Game’ Vs. The Knicks

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after scoring during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 134-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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Rick Pitino is a big Donovan Mitchell fan, having coached him at Louisville.

But the Hall of Fame St. John’s coach is also a huge Knicks fan.

So when Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers meet the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals beginning Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, Pitino is hoping both do well.

“I hope Mitchell scores 75 points a game and the Knicks win,” Pitino cracked Monday on a Zoom call with reporters to discuss his new-look St. John’s team.

Pitino, a former Knicks coach, previously said the Knicks “have the best team” in the playoffs but pointed out that not having homecourt is a potential disadvantage.

With No. 4 Cleveland’s upset of the No. 1 Detroit Pistons in Game 7 Sunday night, the Knicks will have homecourt against Mitchell and the Cavaliers.

“Donovan, his basketball acumen is off the charts,” Pitino said. “Last night, although he scored in crunch time, he dominated that basketball game with his passing. His passing was unbelievable, making other people better. So Donovan’s mental acumen is off the charts, he’s one of the smartest young men I’ve encountered in my coaching career.

“His physical talent is amazing as well, and the Knicks obviously have to find a way to stop him. But he can beat you so many ways.”

New York went 2-1 against Cleveland during the regular season, with both wins coming before the Cavaliers acquired James Harden in a trade.

“It’s going to be special for sure, but they are a talented team,” Mitchell, who averaged 29.3 points in three games vs. the Knicks, told reporters.

“Obviously, it starts with Jalen Brunson and KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns], but Mikal [Bridges] and OG [Anunoby] have been phenomenal, Josh Hart. You look at their bench, it’s been great so we know them, obviously.

“I think the biggest thing is, they’ve been off, they got a bunch of rest. So we gotta be ready to go from the jump, from Game 1. I get to play at home, woo, but it doesn’t matter. We gotta be locked in and ready to go. And I know we will be, they’re a tough team and we’re excited.”

The Knicks will not have played in nine days when the conference finals start, while Cleveland is coming off an emotional win over the Pistons after they trailed 2-0 in the series.

“I’ve seen it happen both ways,” Pitino said of the time off. “I’ve seen teams with a lot of time off because they were physically beat up, and certainly OG [Anunoby] and [Josh] Hart needed to mend their wounds…And I’ve seen [those teams] come back and be great, I’ve seen other teams be rusty. It all depends on how they have practiced in the time that they’ve been out.

“I think the Knicks are capable of winning a championship, I think Cleveland’s capable, as well as OKC. And listen, I would not be shocked to see San Antonio come out on top in that one as well.”

As for the Knicks’ future, Pitino said he’d like to see them draft former St. John’s star Zuby Ejiofor, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“I hope the Knicks take him in the first round,” Pitino said of Ejiofor.