NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers 99, Dallas Mavericks 98 — Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Step Up As LeBron James Sits Out
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue sat both LeBron James and Timofey Mozgov as the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. While every game matters for Dallas, as they could easily finish the season anywhere from 6th to 9th place in the NBA Western Conference, Cleveland needed to prove that they have the ability to beat an NBA Playoff-caliber team while relying on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to lead the team without King James. Both men stepped up with big performances in a game where the Mavericks never had the lead.
#CavsMavs 1st half highlight: that J.R. JAM.
Let's slow it down in FreeD, shall we?https://t.co/66EXS74Gzt
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 17, 2016
With a 16-point lead going into the fourth quarter, the Cavs obviously didn’t get off to a very good start for the last 12 minutes. But when it really mattered, Kyrie proved that he could take control of the game. Hitting all four of his fourth-quarter free throws, Irving made a key layup with less than five minutes to play that put the Cavs up by seven, which Dallas was never able to overcome. When the Mavs got within two points, Kyrie Irving scored another key lay-up followed by a blocked shot 20 seconds later. With a two-point lead, Kyrie tallied a steal and the subsequent free throws made it virtually impossible for Dallas to retaliate.
Count it! Squad hangs on for the #CavsMavs win in The Land.
FINAL: https://t.co/agBLLfNDQV pic.twitter.com/gNwS8UTdqh— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 17, 2016
Considering that Cleveland sat out both LeBron James and Timofey Mozgov, two regular starters who log very significant minutes, it shows that players like Channing Frye and Matthew Dellavedova can come off the bench to support Love and Irving when they’re making up for LeBron’s absence.
.@KingJames is sitting out this game, so how do Kyrie and Kevin Love fare when LeBron is on the bench? #CavsMavs pic.twitter.com/d1c2lPFjPv
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) March 16, 2016
Kevin Love logged the only double-double of the game with 23 points and an incredible 18 rebounds. He led the Cavaliers with two blocked shots, five made free throws, and six free throw attempts earned.
With a double-double (23P,18R) @kevinlove was a big reason why the @Cavs held off the Mavs as LBJ rested #CavsMavs https://t.co/4bV2LexbpW
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) March 17, 2016
Aside from demonstrating his value as a clutch player, Kyrie Irving had a game-high 33 points along with five rebounds and a flawless 4-of-4 from the free throw line. This is the kind of performance the Cavaliers will need out of Irving if they get another chance to play Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Winning without LeBron? @KyrieIrving knows he has to produce when their leader goes to the bench #CavsMavs https://t.co/h8iS21Xene
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) March 17, 2016
For the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki had an impressive game, with a team-high 20 points and a game-high three blocked shots. Up against both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, Dirk was limited to just four rebounds on the night.
Dirk Nowitzki is better than the Mavericks https://t.co/bFuABbVbd5 pic.twitter.com/xByYQStVdP
— Mavs Moneyball (@mavsmoneyball) March 16, 2016
Coming off the bench for Dallas, David Lee and J.J. Barea were good for a combined 37 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
FINAL: Mavs fall to Cavs 99-98. D.Lee & Dirk each end with 20pts. JJ Barea had 17pts. #DALatCLE pic.twitter.com/McpQC94dMX
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 17, 2016
After playing the NBA East-leading Cavs on Wednesday night, the Mavericks will go home to host the defending NBA Champions Golden State Warriors. Currently sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference, the Mavericks are one game behind 6th place Portland Blazers and 1.5 games ahead of 9th place Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain 2.5 games in front of 2nd place Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference. On Friday, the Cavs travel to Orlando to face the 11th place Magic.
[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]