Evan Mobley scored 23 of his season-high-tying 29 points in the first half as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 138-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in the opening game of a home-and-home series.
Donovan Mitchell added 24 points and eight assists, while James Harden contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to help Cleveland stay firmly in fourth place in the NBA Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have now gone 24-10 since Dec. 29.
For Dallas, Rookie of the Year contender Cooper Flagg scored 25 points and Naji Marshall added 17 points and seven rebounds. Ryan Nembhard finished with eight points and nine assists.
The Mavericks have struggled recently, losing nine of their last 10 games and going 3-19 since Jan. 24.
Cleveland dominated inside, scoring 72 points in the paint while taking advantage of the absence of Dallas center Daniel Gafford. The Cavaliers’ biggest lead came midway through the fourth quarter at 129-94 following a hook shot from Thomas Bryant, who finished with 11 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, Dallas guard Klay Thompson failed to hit a three-pointer for the first time in 49 games, finishing 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers led 67-50 at halftime after shooting 60.9% from the field. Mobley was particularly efficient, making 10 of his 12 attempts in the first half.
Dallas opened the game strongly with Marshall scoring the team’s first eight points, but Cleveland quickly took control as Mobley poured in 16 points in the first seven minutes to give the visitors a 20-14 lead. The Cavaliers extended their advantage to 38-21 by the end of the first quarter.
Dallas were without P.J. Washington Jr. (left ankle soreness) and Gafford (rest), while Cleveland continued to miss center Jarrett Allen due to right knee tendinitis. Swingman Sam Merrill was also inactive with left hamstring tightness.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday in Cleveland for the second game of the series.
