Cleveland Cavaliers successfully outlast Dallas Mavericks in OT

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers continue homecourt defense

The Cleveland Cavaliers successfully outlasted the Dallas Mavericks in a 100-99 overtime thriller at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. With another hard-fought victory at home, the Cavs hold the fort in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 20-11 record.

Donovan Mitchell continued to lead the Cavaliers in scoring with 25 points, while fellow NBA All-Star Darius Garland tallied another double-double of 18 points and 12 assists to go with four huge steals to help secure the win in the extra period.

None of Garland’s many assists were bigger than the one dished to Jarrett Allen with just a sliver over two minutes remaining, where the big man slammed the ball hard for the eventual game-winning points of the game.

In a thoroughly neck-and-neck ballgame, Dallas had threatened to pull away in the second half, erecting a 10-point advantage early in the third period before the home team rallied to force OT and eventually secure their 14th victory in Cleveland.

The Mavericks played without superstar guard Luka Doncic (quad strain) and relied heavily on veteran guard Kemba Walker, who tallied a game-high 32 points, as well as on center Christian Wood and his massive stat line of 25 points, 14 boards, and two blocked shots.

The Cavs look to extend their home streak against contenders

As it turns out, the Cavs needed every inch of advantage provided by the raucous crowd that even included Cavaliers legend and 2016 NBA Champion J.R. Smith, to help spark that rally to get back into the game late.

The overtime win marks Cleveland’s 14th win against two losses in the regularly sold-out Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, a stark contrast to their pedestrian 6-9 record away from home.

There is little doubt that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the rest of the crew will be glad to have the next four games in the building through the upcoming holiday season, but will have no time to lounge around given the weight of opponents coming into town.

Next up on the 19th midway through the six-game homestand is a bout with Donovan Mitchell’s old team the Utah Jazz, which will be extra interesting as it will also feature familiar faces in several beloved former Cleveland Cavaliers.