by For the 2nd time in nearly as many games the Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Dallas Mavericks this time in an OT thriller 100-99 from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
The game began just as the final score indicated a back forth pace with both teams struggling to gain control. Mavs superstar Luka Doncic was inactive tonight due to injury. Thus, leaving a big hole for the Mavericks offensively. But Kemba Walker in just his 3rd game with the team got the start tonight and played extremely well from the get go. Scoring Dallas’ first 7 points. Walker would go on to finish with 32 points on 12-25 shooting from the field. From the jump it felt like this game was going to be different than their first meeting a few nights ago.
The Cavaliers continue to be led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. His 41 point performance on Friday night helped the Cavs complete a comeback win over the Pacers.But tonight it was Darius Garland who was the main offensive catalyst this evening. Garland’s double double of 18 points and 12 assists would prove to be crucial to the Cavs staying in this tight game. Both teams continued to have each other figured out offensively with it being a true offensive struggle. The half ended with how it started, that is Kemba Walker scoring the basketball. His scoop layup capped a 19 point first half for Walker which to some may have come at surprise in just his first Maverick start.
If the Cavs were going to win this game it was going to have to be a complete team effort. The Mavs built a 10 point lead for their largest lead of the contest following a Dorian Finney-Smith 3 pointer. Cleveland stayed in the game but the Mavericks had answers for every momentum swing shifting the home team’s way. The 3 ball was working tonight for the Mavericks as they would go on to hit 15 of them. Reggie Bullock hit his 2nd of the game to extend the lead to 8 for the v at the end of the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter would go on to be a true mental test for both teams as fatigue set in. Evan Mobley made a couple of big baskets including his only take three pointer of the game. He would finish with 17 points on 60% shooting. Walker would make a beautiful one on one move to get past Jarrett Allen to tie the game at 96. Mitchell would be called for an offensive foul on a step back 3 sending this game to overtime.
The overtime session would see only 7 combined points. It wouldn’t have gone any other way considering how much the offenses struggled. Jarrett Allen made the game winning basket on a lob feed from Darius Garland. Allen out jumped two defenders and finished over Christian Wood who also had a great game himself finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds on 50% shooting. Dallas had several chances to take the lead down by just one point but could not buy a bucket. But none of those opportunities would fall as the score would not change for the final 2:21 as the best home team in the NBA got it done again in Cleveland.
With the win, the Cavs improved to 20-11 overall and 14-2 at home. The now 15-15 Mavericks will travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers Monday night. The Cavaliers will continue their 6 game homestand against the Utah Jazz Monday night.
