The Cleveland Cavaliers just defeated the Dallas Mavericks in a tight 119-121 game. Despite Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combining for 75 points, the Cavs had an answer. Here’s a look back at Cleveland’s victory heave over Dallas.
The Cavaliers went with a starting lineup of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Although both teams were able to stretch their lead a little, Dallas led by ten at one point and Cleveland’s largest lead was 15, neither team was able to fully seize momentum. The lead changed a hefty 18 times.
With Dallas shining more defensively (only three players scored in double digits), Cleveland struggled to control the ball. The Mavericks piled up 11 steals and six blocks resulting in a total of 16 Cleveland turnovers. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, recorded only four blocks and two steals, none of which came in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland did outplay Dallas offensively, though. Twice as many Cavaliers scored in double digits (six) and at least four of those players were approaching double doubles, while the only Maverick to do so was Doncic.
Mitchell finished with a team high 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Allen just missed out on another double double with 19 points and nine rebounds, as did Mobley with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Georges Niang and Caris LeVert were also big contributors off the bench. Niang finished with 10 points and five assists while LeVert finished with 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.
While there were multiple Cavaliers who produced good overall stat lines, Strus was the crux of this Cleveland victory. Finishing with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists, Strus put on a fourth quarter performance for the ages (literally). Aside from scoring 15 of his points in the fourth quarter alone, Strus also made all five of his threes taken (seven in total). This included his 59 foot buzzer beater to win the game (second longest winning-buzzer beater in three point era) which was more than simply a lucky shot.
With no timeouts left, and having just given up the lead with under three seconds left, Strus collected the ball and inbounded to Mobley before taking off towards him. Mobley kicked it back and Strus fired up the game winner. After making four threes in a minute and seven seconds he was able to remain level-headed enough to react to PJ Washington seemingly making the winning shot. As Washington stopped briefly to flex in celebration, Strus and the Cavs stayed in motion and edged out a dub.
This is how a team fights for a victory in the postseason. Everyone contributes, and no one gives up until the clock expires. Although the big performances by Doncic and Irving were almost enough to topple the Cavs, Cleveland was able to contain the stars enough for the win. With Strus hitting the shot heard round the league, maybe the Cavs will finally be taken seriously as contenders.
Cleveland looks to build their momentum this Wednesday night (February 28) in Chicago at 8:00 PM.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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