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Cavaliers score vs. Nets | Caris LeVert sparks rout along with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley
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- Cavaliers score vs. Nets | Caris LeVert sparks rout along with Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley
A first-half barrage of 3-pointers by Caris LeVert got the Cavaliers going Monday night in Brooklyn . Donovan Mitchell got hot later. Evan Mobley was a presence throughout.
With four others joining them as double-figure scorers and Cleveland getting the job done on the defensive end, the Cavs were way too much for the Nets , winning 130-101.
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The Cavs owned a comfortable lead throughout the final three-plus quarters, leading by as many as 37 points and clearing bench in the fourth quarter. Cleveland held leads for 72-40 at the half and 104-77 after three quarters.
At 23-4, the Cavs have equaled the best 27-game start in franchise history and own the NBA's best record this season.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell reacts after a dunk against the Nets during the second quarter, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
LeVert, who continues to excel in his role coming off the bench, made six first-half 3-pointers in helping the Cavs push their lead into the 30s in the first half. He scored 19 points overall, all in the first half, to go with four assists, two steals and two blocks. He made his first five 3s, going 6-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert drives to the basket against the Nets during the first quarter, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
The former Net hit a pair of 3s in a span of 28 seconds during Cleveland's 16-0 first-quarter run, then made another trey in the final minute to help the Cavs take a 37-17 lead through the opening 12 minutes. Cleveland scored 15 straight points midway through the second and LeVert hit two more 3s in the final 2:44 as the lead was 32 by halftime.
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Mitchell heated up later in scoring 18 points. He was the only Cavalier starter to miss more than two shots from the floor, shooting 6-of-14 from the field.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell dunks as Nets defenders Day'Ron Sharpe (20), Tyrese Martin (13) and Ben Simmons (10) watch in the second quarter, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
Mobley scored a team-high 21 points, making six of his seven second-half shots and scoring 10 third-quarter points.
Georges Niang contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, Jarrett Allen and Issac Okoro finished with 12 points apiece and Darius Garland chipped in 11. Allen shot 5-for-5 from the floor against his former team and grabbed eight rebounds to go with fourth assists.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen controls the ball against Nets forward Cameron Johnson in the first quarter, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
The Cavs shot 53.1% from the floor as a team, hit 19 3-pointers and reached 130 points for the seventh time this season. They totaled 33 assists on their 43 made shots from the field. Six Cavs had three or more assists. Garland and Ty Jerome led the way with six assists apiece and Mitchell had five.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson argues with referee James Williams (60) during the second quarter against the Nets, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
After trading Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Nets lost for the sixth time in seven games after winning three straight Nov. 24-27. Brooklyn also allowed at least 130 points for the second straight game and fourth time overall.
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Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, Day'Ron Sharpe added 15 and Jalen Wilson contributed 13. Ben Simmons added 10 points and eight assists but also committed six of Brooklyn's season-worst 22 turnovers, resulting in 34 Cleveland points.
Nets center Nic Claxton drives to the basket against Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley during the fourth quarter, Dec. 16, 2024, in Brooklyn.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley key Cavaliers in rout of Brooklyn Nets
