NEW YORK – The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a dominant 130-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, with Evan Mobley leading the way with 21 points. Caris LeVert contributed significantly with 19 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 18 points along with five assists. Georges Niang also had a noteworthy performance, chipping in 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds. This win marked the Cavaliers’ second consecutive victory and their sixth victory in the last seven games, improving their record to 23-4.
On the Nets’ side, Cameron Johnson was the standout player, finishing the game with 22 points and five assists, while Day’Ron Sharpe scored 15 points and collected seven rebounds. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, this loss was their third in a row and their sixth defeat in the last seven matchups, leaving them with a record of 10-16.
Kenny Atkinson made his return to Brooklyn as the Cavaliers’ head coach. The 57-year-old previously coached the Nets for four seasons, adding an interesting narrative to the matchup.
In terms of team performance, the Cavaliers showcased their offensive prowess, boasting the highest field-goal percentage in the league at 50.3% and an impressive 39.9% from three-point range. Against the Nets, they shot an impressive 53.1% overall and recorded 33 assists on 43 made baskets.
In contrast, the Nets struggled offensively. This was their first game since the trade that sent point guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State, and they managed only 42% shooting from the field and a season-low of 40 points in the first half. Impressively, Brooklyn scored nearly as many points in the third quarter (37) as they did in the entire first half.
A significant turning point came early in the game when the Nets started strong, scoring the first seven points. However, the Cavaliers quickly shifted momentum, closing out the first quarter with a staggering 32-5 run to build a commanding 20-point lead.
An interesting statistic from the game revealed that the Cavaliers have now scored at least 130 points in seven games this season, setting a new franchise record for the most 130-point games in a single season.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers are set to host Milwaukee on Friday, while the Nets will be on the road against Toronto on Thursday.
