Cleveland is back on a positive record (11-10) on its own merits. The Ohioans lost five consecutive games, but such a streak was fueled by a plague of injuries that, now overcome, reminds us that this team is well above what many thought in the summer. Last night, beat the Mavericks 96-114.
Yes, they are one of the most surprising outfits of our NBA campaign. In Dallas they won comfortably thanks to 28 points and 14 rebounds from Jarrett Allen and 24 points (five triples) and 8 rebounds from Lauri Markkanen. Nothing was out of tune with a Cavs who were more than 30 points up in the fourth quarter.
“We are playing how we want to play. We are playing with the aggressiveness and assertiveness that we want to play. We are simply setting the tone in the games, “says Allen.
The reality is that Cleveland dominated almost every facet of the game. To begin, they signed their best game in terms of shooting, getting 56.3% in field shots and 43.8% in triples. In addition, they beat the Mavericks in the rebound 49 to 33 (the lowest mark of the season for Texas).
Doncic and little else
Looking at it from the Mavs’ perspective, it can be said that Luka Doncic played practically alone. The Slovenian genius posted a triple-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while posting a fantastic 7 of 11 on triples. I was in rhythm, but the rest of the team was very far; long enough to combine and make a 4 of 28 on the outside roll. Jason Kidd believes those mistakes hurt them on defense.
“When we don’t get it right, we tend to feel bad or feel sorry for ourselves… The opposing team is not going to wait for us to get back on defense. Our transition defense has sucked lately because we are not making shots, ”explains the head coach of the Mavs.
Porzingis new injury
That’s how it is. If a few days ago we commented on the good moment of Kristaps Porzingis, now we find that a new injury can send him to the starting box. The Latvian scored 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks last night before being forced to leave the court midway through the second half due to a sprained right ankle. You have to wait to know the exact extent of the ailment.
(Photograph by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
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