CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers overwhelmed the depleted Mavericks, showcasing their dominance with a remarkable performance. Cleveland scored an astonishing 91 points in the first half, which ties for the third-highest total in NBA history, leading them to a decisive 144-101 victory. This win came as Dallas struggled without several key players due to injuries and the recent trade of their star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the day.

The Cavaliers, boasting the best record in the NBA at 40-9, achieved multiple franchise milestones during the game, including setting a new high for three-pointers made with 26, points scored in a single quarter with 50 in the first, and establishing the largest lead at halftime at 45 points. They also matched their franchise record of 16 three-pointers made in a half, all within the opening 24 minutes of play.

Evan Mobley, an All-Star forward for the Cavs, reflected on the team’s focus despite the distractions surrounding the trade. He contributed significantly with 22 points and 11 rebounds in just 23 minutes, emphasizing the team’s intent to maintain their aggressive approach throughout the game. “We started hot and kept our foot on the gas,” Mobley remarked.

The first-half scoring record in the NBA belongs to the Phoenix Suns, who scored 107 points against the Denver Nuggets in 1990. Other notable high first-half scores include the Golden State Warriors, who put up 92 points against the Chicago Bulls in 2018, and the Houston Rockets, who recorded 91 against the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

As Cleveland neared the end of the first half, Sam Merrill, who finished with 27 points primarily from nine three-pointers, sensed that a monumental scoring mark was within reach. “We were at 80 points with about four minutes left, and I thought, ‘Man, let’s try to get 100,’” he recalled. “But these games aren’t always that easy. It’s really about the team’s mindset.” Merrill praised the starters for their strong performance, highlighting their ability to communicate effectively and maintain high energy levels.

On the other side, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd faced the daunting task of going up against the Cavaliers without Kyrie Irving and several other sidelined players, all while processing the loss of Doncic. After the game, Kidd expressed his relief that the situation wasn’t worse. “No one got hurt, and we were able to give minutes to players who usually don’t get that opportunity,” he shared. “We struggled out of the gate, but their shooting from downtown was impressive, and they’ve been shooting at that level all year.”

The Cavaliers demonstrated no mercy during the first quarter, making 9 of 11 three-point attempts and quickly establishing a 31-point lead. They continued this trend into the second quarter, hitting seven additional three-pointers and finishing the half with an astounding 73% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc.

As the game progressed into the second half, the Cavaliers kept their foot on the gas, approaching the franchise record for three-pointers made. Merrill noted the encouraging shouts from his teammates urging him to take shots. “There was definitely encouragement. I didn’t understand why everyone was yelling until I realized that was why,” he explained.

Merrill’s three-pointer with just under two minutes left in the game broke the previous team record of 25. Following that shot, he had another attempt but missed, and even veteran Tristan Thompson, who has made 10 career three-pointers across 13 seasons, attempted to join in on the scoring frenzy but fell short.

This game served as a much-needed boost for Merrill, who had been struggling with his shooting form. Prior to this matchup, he went 0 for 4 on three-point attempts against Atlanta and had been averaging just 33% from long-range, significantly lower than his career average. Reflecting on his performance, Merrill said, “It’s great to have a shooting game like this, but it’s just one game. It’s about finding a rhythm. There have been times I felt I was getting there, but then I got sick last game. So while tonight was fun, now it’s all about focusing on the next one.”