Wrap-Up – Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer with 1:34 to play got the Cavaliers to within three points of the Mavs, but those would be the last points the Wine and Gold would score as Dallas pulled away to hand Cleveland its fifth straight loss – 103-95 – on Saturday night at The Q.
Irving led all scorers with 26 points, going 11-for-21 from the floor. But Irving – who bruised his left index finger in the third period – finished without a rebound or assist on the night. Dion Waiters and Boobie Gibson notched 16 points apiece in the loss, with Tristan Thompson doubling-up with 10 points and 12 boards.
Turning Point – With the Cavaliers trailing, 87-80 midway through the fourth, Irving keyed a 9-2 run to tie the affair at 89-apiece. But over the next 1:14, the Mavs went on a 7-0 run of their own, giving them enough breathing space to keep Cleveland at bay.
Game Ball – Tristan Thompson The sophomore forward from Texas was easily the most active Cavalier in the pain on Saturday, notching his third double-double of the season and putting together a solid overall floor game – 10 points, 12 boards and three assists.
By the Numbers – 38.8 … Combined scoring average of the Cavaliers’ backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, good for tops in the NBA. On Saturday, Cleveland’s backcourt combo combined for 42 points. (With Daniel Gibson adding another 16 off the bench.)
Quotable – Head Coach Byron Scott, on what’s become a consistent problem for the Cavs over the course of the five-game skein …
“Communication is our biggest problem, but it has been for the three years I’ve been here. We’ve been talking about that on a day-to-day basis. Again, we keep preaching about guys talking and communicating with each other. With all of our guys we want more consistency on the defensive end first.”
Seen and Heard – On Saturday, the Cavaliers honored our brave fighting men and women with a “Salute the Military Night” at The Q. The Cavs welcomed military families to the game with a half-price ticket offer and on behalf of all fans in attendance, donated $1 from each single game ticket sold to Wounded Warrior Project. Before the game, SPC Chanel Curry sang the National Anthem.
Up Next – The Cavaliers travel to the City of Brotherly love for the second-half of a back-to-back against the Sixers. Philly comes to The Q on Tuesday before the Wine and Gold hit the road for three more.