The Cleveland Cavaliers (18-13) orchestrated a late surge to defeat the Dallas Mavericks (18-13) 113-110, showcasing resilience in the absence of key players.
Caris LeVert’s 29-point performance, including a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, propelled the Cavaliers to overcome a 20-point deficit in the first half.
Despite missing key contributors like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have found ways to secure victories, boasting a 5-1 record in their last six games.
Jarrett Allen’s dominant display with 24 points and 23 rebounds, coupled with Isaac Okoro’s 22-point contribution, highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and thrive under challenging circumstances.
Luka Doncic led the charge for the Mavericks with a 39-point performance. However, the Mavericks struggled in the fourth quarter, enduring a five-minute scoring drought as the Cavaliers orchestrated a 15-0 run to secure the lead.
The absence of All-Star Kyrie Irving, coupled with strategic rest for Doncic at the start of the fourth quarter, did not pay off for the Mavericks.
Despite Doncic’s return to the court, the Cavaliers capitalized on the opportunity, with LeVert, Allen, and Max Strus contributing crucial points at the rim during the decisive run.
Seth Curry’s season-high 19 points for Dallas and Doncic’s scoring prowess were not enough to withstand the Cavaliers’ late-game surge.
