SALT LAKE CITY — In an impressive display of teamwork, the Cleveland Cavaliers broke their losing streak by claiming a 120-91 victory against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. Jarrett Allen led the charge with 18 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 16 to the much-needed win.
The Cavaliers saw a balanced performance with six players reaching double-digit scores, underscoring their cohesive play style. Evan Mobley was a standout with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and an impressive three blocks, providing crucial support on both ends of the court.
On the opposing team, Utah’s Kyle Filipowski made significant contributions with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Walker Kessler also made his presence felt by grabbing 13 rebounds and securing three blocks. Despite these efforts, the Jazz couldn’t maintain their initial momentum.
The game saw Utah initially rally back from a 12-point deficit, even managing to take a narrow 36-34 lead with Collin Sexton’s layup midway through the second quarter. However, Cleveland reclaimed control before halftime when Mitchell hit a pivotal jumper, putting them up 44-43 with just over two minutes left in the second period.
Cleveland’s defense proved to be a challenge for Utah, keeping them scoreless for a significant 6½-minute stretch. They capitalized on this with a decisive 15-0 run at the start of the third quarter, widening their lead significantly. Allen notably capped this run, with a pair of crucial baskets delivering Cleveland a comfortable 66-45 advantage five minutes into the latter half.
This win was largely fueled by Cleveland’s ability to exploit Utah’s weaknesses, particularly their transition defense, leading to a 22-9 advantage in fastbreak points. Utah’s ball handling also posed issues, with 18 turnovers resulting in 25 points for the Cavaliers.
A pivotal turning point came after Utah managed a brief lead at 43-42 on Filipowski’s reverse layup, as Mitchell and Darius Garland responded with significant plays, steering Cleveland to control the game before halftime and setting up their third-quarter dominance.
The Cavaliers succeeded in dominating the interior as well, outscoring the Jazz 60-30 in the paint.
Looking forward, both teams have games on Tuesday. Cleveland will wrap up their current five-game road trip by facing Portland, while Utah will aim to rebound as they host Memphis.
