The Cavaliers are discovering the sweet spot of improving as a unit while relying on Mitchell less. That doesn't negate his importance.

The moment arrived in the third quarter and Donovan Mitchell seized it. After Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer over him, Mitchell sensed the Celtics' momentum and confidence building. He could feel the energy draining from Cleveland's hyped crowd and maybe some of the fight leaving his teammates.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers claimed a 115-111 victory over a short-handed Celtics team that was without Jaylen Brown and Derrick White on Sunday, maintaining their spot at the top of the Eastern Conference. Here are the takeaways.