In an outstanding all-around performance, the Cavaliers demonstrated poise in a hostile environment, soaring to an impressive 127-94 clobbering of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.
Tyson Chandler of the Mavericks said his group was treating this game like a postseason affair. That lasted for the first quarter, but the remaining 36 minutes was a textbook lesson in urgency on both sides of the court by the Cavaliers, who started off their four-game road trip in emphatic style.
Cleveland (41-25) ran through Dallas and no matter how many timeouts coach Rick Carlisle called, he could not shake the momentum. Cleveland shot 51 percent for the game, had all five starters in double figures and held a lead of 35 points deep in the fourth quarter.
Fans cleared out around the 10-minute mark. The Mavericks weren’t as fortunate.
LeBron James scored 17 of his game-high 27 points in the first half and finished with seven rebounds and eight assists. His first assist of the game moved him past Mark Price into first place in franchise history in assists.
Kevin Love registered his team-leading 33rd double-double of the season by way of 21 points and 14 boards. J.R. Smith added 21 points and was deadly with five 3-pointers in the first half, helping to fuel a 41-point second quarter by the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving had 22 points and five assists. Timofey Mozgov supplied 17 points, four boards and two blocks.
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