Carrying over the momentum of their first win in San Antonio in 13 tries, the Dallas Mavericks tried to complete a difficult back to back with a second straight victory at home against the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Capturing a 105-101 victory Sunday for their first win in San Antonio since 26 November 2010, the Mavericks tried to build on that performance 24 hours later. The Mavs also tried to avenge their most-lopsided loss of the season after suffering a 128-90 defeat in Cleveland on 25 November. And with a total team effort powering them on the second night of a back to back, the Mavericks (18-30) sprinted past the defending champions to a 104-97 victory.
“It’s two really gritty performances,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after his team secured back-to-back victories. “You know, last night we got down 15 in the first half, and we really had to claw back. Tonight, we were playing even or in front most of the night. You know, they made runs, and we had answers. So, it was a great two nights, and I’m really happy for the guys. With the things that we’ve gone through this year, to win two games like this just gives you energy.”
Picking up where he left off at after setting career highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds against the Spurs, sharpshooter Seth Curry swished a three to get the Mavericks on the board following a driving basket by four-time MVP LeBron James to open the scoring. Dirk Nowitzki followed suit a short time later, splashing a triple from the top of the key as the Mavs kept their foot on the gas. And after Nowitzki found leading scorer Harrison Barnes on the break for a transition slam, the Mavericks surged to a 14-5 advantage with 7:33 left in the opening quarter.
The Cavaliers (32-15) quickly charged back, tying the game at 14-all after James’ two-handed slam forced a timeout by Carlisle with 5:26 left in the period. And with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving picking up the offensive slack for the injured Kevin Love (lower back spasms) in the midst of an 11-0 Cleveland run, the Cavaliers regained the lead before taking a 29-26 edge into the second stanza.
Taking the lead back early in the second quarter after a score inside by backup big man Dwight Powell, the Mavericks tried to create some separation with Irving on the bench. The Mavs also continued to get a lift from the playmaking skills of 10-day contract signee Yogi Ferrell, making his second straight start after joining the team on Saturday. Ferrell’s second 3-pointer of the night then gave the Mavericks a 39-33 edge.
“I’m just going out there and trying to make plays for my team,” Ferrell would later say. “I’m just going in there with confidence. My teammates are giving me confidence to go out there, and I’m just being aggressive and trying to attack. I’m just making the game simple.”
The Cavaliers staged a rally of their own, tying the game at 43-all after a three by former Mav Richard Jefferson and Jordan McRae’s transition slam. Barnes then went back on the attack while moving in double figures for the 47th time in 48 games. And after James’ late score to close the half, the Mavericks took a 55-50 edge into the intermission.
Led by Barnes’ 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting to go along with six rebounds in the first half, the Mavericks’ 47.8 percent from the field bettered the Cavaliers’ 44.4 percent. The Mavs also held a 24-21 rebounding edge while converting Cleveland’s six turnovers into 11 points.
“It was a team effort,” swingman Wesley Matthews said of the defensive execution. “[James and Irving] are two of the best in the league. You know, they get everybody involved, and they get themselves involved. I think the biggest thing we did is we rebounded the ball pretty well. And when you can do that, you take them out of second chances and you take them out of other opportunities to score. When you limit them to one shot, you’re doing yourself a huge favor.”
Dueling an aggressive James coming out of the halftime break, Matthews became the third Mav in double figures with a three to put the home team up 60-54 early in the third period. Matthews stayed on the attack from there, scoring on a breakaway layup as the Mavericks assumed a 62-54 lead with 8:30 left in the third.
Barnes took matters from there, attempting to go score for score with James at the other end. And after Curry’s offensive rebound led to his up-and-under score to put the Mavericks up 11, Ferrell got the roll on a jumper in the lane to send Dallas into the fourth with an 81-70 advantage.
After a tip-in by Powell put the Mavs ahead by 13, the Cavaliers again staged a rally behind back-to-back treys by big man Channing Frye. Sixth man Devin Harris would then attempt to settle his team down, feeding Powell inside for a score before a basket of his own. But after Frye’s third three of the quarter, the Mavericks held just an 87-79 lead.
Not to be outdone, Nowitzki answered a three by sharpshooter Kyle Korver with a triple of his own, putting the Mavs ahead 94-82 in the process. Curry followed suit a short time later, sinking a triple as the Mavericks grabbed a 97-83 lead with 6:16 left to play. And after Ferrell swished a three of his own to help the Mavericks build a 17-point lead, the Dallas defense did the rest while securing the win with stops down the stretch.
Scoring 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, Barnes also grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to the win. Matthews added 21 points in the first unit, while Ferrell filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Curry finished with 16 points on 7-of-17 from the field. Meanwhile, Powell tallied 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
“We have grown a lot,” Barnes said after recording his second double-double of the season. “Lately we have been playing with some good fight, and we haven’t always had the result we wanted. But tonight we had a great group effort, and we were able to get a win.”
James led five Cavaliers in double figures with 23 points on 9-of-19 from the field, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing nine assists to boot. But the Cavaliers also outshot the Mavericks for the game, 46.7 percent to 45.3 percent, as the teams battled to a 42-all rebounding stalemate. However, the Cavaliers couldn’t overcome Dallas’ 25 points off 17 Cleveland turnovers.
“We’re always going to fight. You know, that wasn’t a question,” Matthews said. “I think we’ve really adapted to the style and pace that we need to play at and the style and pace that we’re going to be successful in. We’ve got to give a lot of credit to Yogi. You know, he’s come in and he’s really turned up the tempo of this team. He plays with a confidence and a fearlessness. He gets in the paint, and he’s really helping everybody. He’s picked up the offense tremendously, and coach is encouraging us to run. We’re really embracing that, and we’re executing. We’re looking for each other, and we’re doing it at the defensive end as well as rebounding.”
Note: The Mavericks will now return to AmericanAirlines Center on Wednesday, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers.
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