Cavaliers embarrass Mavericks in 1st game since Dallas' Luka Doncic trade
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The Dallas Mavericks were far from energized in their first game since the team traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Anthony Davis.
The Mavericks allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers 91 points at halftime and lost the game 144-101.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
"Everyone was just locked in even with the trade and everything that was going on today," Cavs star Evan Mobley said after the game. "We started hot and kept our foot on the gas."
Sam Merrill added nine 3-pointers for Cleveland. The Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 26 in total.
"We were at 80 (points) with like four minutes left, and I was like, ‘Man, let’s try to get 100,’" Merrill said. "But these games aren’t always easy. I’ve been a part of games where everyone is out, and it’s a close game because it’s hard to have the right mindset in a game like this.
"It’s such a credit to the starters to come out and play the right way and communicate and defend and share the basketball. To get out to that big lead and then the bench guys come in and keep it going. I’ve been a part of some 80s but 90 (at halftime) is crazy."
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Mavericks guard Luka Doncic looks on from the team bench during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at the American Airlines Center on Jan. 27, 2025 in Dallas. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
It was the closing of a wild