Evan Mobley led the Cleveland Cavaliers with 22 points in a commanding 144-101 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. This win came on the heels of the Mavericks trading their star, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Cleveland's offensive explosion resulted in a franchise-record 91 points in the first half, including a staggering 50 points in the opening quarter. Darius Garland contributed significantly with 17 points and 10 assists, while Sam Merrill added nine 3-pointers to help the Cavs secure their position with the league's best record at 40-9.

Despite the absence of Kyrie Irving due to injury, Dallas struggled, with Jaden Hardy as their top scorer at 21 points. The Mavericks faced challenges with injuries to several key players, limiting their roster to only ten available players. Cleveland’s relentless pace overwhelmed Dallas, tying the record for the third-most points in a first half in NBA history. With this performance, the Cavaliers are poised for their upcoming game against the Boston Celtics, setting a tone of confidence on their path back to the Finals.