Wednesday night in New Orleans, Mitchell reached a breaking point – even after a record 131-122 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans that pushed Cleveland’s record to 9–0, the best start in franchise history, erasing a previous mark that had stood for nearly 50 years. Mitchell couldn’t hold back any longer, devoting part of his postgame press conference to calling out NBA officials, using statistics to back up his complaints.

“We’re second in the league in drives per game and we don’t get fouled,” Mitchell said with passion – and precision. “I have been silent about this for a long time. Tonight I almost lost my mind. DG had no free throws. I had six. Four at the end of the match. JA (Jarrett Allen) had two. Ev (Evan Mobley) had (three). For us to be the team that we are, to drive and not get fouled, it’s crazy.

“The refereeing was so inconsistent, especially against us. You need consistency. I’m proud of the way we fought, and I told my guys I was going to be the one to talk about it, not even complain, but it’s getting out of hand, it’s getting crazy.

“They need to tighten up. I will probably get fined for this. But it’s scandalous.

The numbers show that Mitchell might have a legitimate problem.

According to the team’s internal tracking data, the Cavs have the lowest percentage of fouls committed on their drives in the league, although they rank second in drives per game, behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in this category. Cleveland is 26th in free throw attempts per game, with Mitchell averaging a career-low 3.6. He only finished below 4.0 once – his rookie season at Utah. Garland, who ranks in the top 15 in total drives, averages a miniscule 1.6 giveaways.

“That seems about right,” one player said when this specific Garland stat was brought up.

So, does Mitchell have a theory as to why the Cavaliers attacking the paint aren’t getting a friendlier whistle?

“I don’t know,” he replied. “But the statistics are there. I didn’t want to come here without being factual. We are a team that gets into painting. It’s not just me. It’s us as a collective. Trying to finish, getting hit, different things, eight different guys had blood on us tonight but we didn’t get any fouls in our favor. It’s been several games now. For me, it’s part of my game. If I get kicked off my line, it’s a foul. I mean, tonight it was a foul for Zion (Williamson) or whoever. Where is the consistency?

Mitchell understands his role as team leader. He recognizes that his voice is the loudest. It was clear that no matter what questions were asked of him, he was not leaving the Smoothie King Center without saying so. something about the officiating, particularly on a night when the free throw disparity was 28-13 in New Orleans’ favor and Cleveland’s two bigs — Mobley and Allen — had foul trouble throughout . Mobley even fouled out late in the fourth quarter, the first time in 207 regular season games being disqualified.

In Mitchell’s eyes, repeated drives to the rim were only rewarded for one team.

“Evan Mobley goes down in an alley-oop and almost rolls his ankle. There’s no foul called,” Mitchell explained. “If Evan rolls his ankle, he’s out. There is no consistency.

The burly Williamson made 13 trips down the field, matching Cleveland’s total. It was the fifth time this season that the result of a free throw was equal or favorable to the opponent. Earlier this season, the Cavs were minus-25 in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers – a game that sparked murmurs throughout the Cleveland locker room.

Those same complaints were loud and clear Wednesday night.

“We play against these teams that get tick-tack calls,” Mitchell said. “Tonight, I don’t even know when the first foul was called in the second half.

“There has to be consistency.”