The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 114-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, extending their winning streak to five games. Darius Garland led the team with 22 points and 12 assists, while Isaac Okoro added 15 points. The Cavaliers dominated on offense and defense down the stretch, holding the Nets to just two points during the final 3:43 of the fourth quarter. This win avenged two losses to the Nets in November.
The Nets were playing without NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant, who is sidelined with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 27 points but made just two baskets in the fourth quarter. Irving, who is unvaccinated, is barred from playing all but the Nets' away games due to New York's Covid-19 health and safety rules. Despite the loss, Irving expressed confidence in his team's abilities.
Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff praised his team's performance, calling it a "signature win" against a high-level team. He highlighted the team's defensive effort, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they held the Nets to just 19 points. The win came on a day the NBA honored the memory of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with special ceremonies and video tributes throughout the 14 games on Monday.
Rookie Evan Mobley contributed 12 points for Cleveland in front of a crowd of 18,100 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse arena in Cleveland. Other Cavaliers players, including Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love, and Jarrett Allen, each added 14 points to the team's score. The Cavaliers' victory was a significant one, considering their previous losses to the Nets.
In other NBA games on Monday, the Phoenix Suns secured a 121-107 win over the San Antonio Spurs, with Devin Booker pouring in a season-high 48 points. The Suns have now won four straight games, all on the road, to improve on the league's best record of 34-9. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing skid with a 101-95 win over the Utah Jazz, led by LeBron James' 25 points.
The Portland Trail Blazers also secured a win on Monday, beating the Orlando Magic 98-88. CJ McCollum scored 16 points in his first game back from a collapsed lung, having missed 17 games over six weeks. McCollum started but saw limited action as the Trail Blazers try to ease him back into the lineup. The Washington Wizards defeated the under-manned Philadelphia 76ers 117-98, with Kyle Kuzma tallying 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Irving expressed frustration when questioned about his vaccination status, stating that it was "disrespectful" to bring it up in the context of the game. He emphasized that he makes choices about his life outside of basketball and did not want to discuss the science behind his decision. The Cavaliers' win marked a significant milestone for the team, showcasing their strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Key points
- The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 114-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
- The Nets were playing without NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant.
- The Cavaliers' win extended their winning streak to five games.
