Max Strus' 59-footer lifts Cavaliers over Mavericks - ESPN

CLEVELAND — Max Strus drilled a 59-footer as time expired, his fifth made 3-pointer in the final four minutes, to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a wild 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

After the Mavericks took the lead on P.J. Washington's dunk with 2.9 seconds left, the Cavaliers quickly inbounded the ball to Evan Mobley, who passed back to Strus — who made four 3s in a span of 67 seconds down the stretch to keep Cleveland close.

Strus then took a dribble before launching his shot from well beyond mid-court, officially listed at 59 feet. As it swished through the net, Strus was tackled to the floor by teammates as the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd erupted.

«At the end of the day, we have a guy like Max Strus,» Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen said. «Anything is possible.»

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Strus is the fourth player in the last 25 seasons to make five 3s in the final four minutes of game.

«He was the guy,» Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Strus. «That's one of the things, that we're fortunate with this group, is on any given night, we've got a guy who can step up and make huge plays.»

The memorable shot was the second-longest game-winning buzzer-beater in the 3-point era, according to Basketball Reference. Only Devonte' Graham has hit a longer one — 61 feet — in that span in the New Orleans Pelicans' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 15, 2021.

«I don't know. Donovan was out of the game, so somebody else had to step up,» Strus said, laughing, in his on-court, postgame interview on Bally Sports. «I got lucky.»

Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Strus added 21 and Allen 19 for the Cavaliers, who improved to 12-3 since Jan 26.

«I didn't feel like it