We know the NBA is full of good players, and that the best are the best for a reason. That is what makes tonight’s events in Cleveland so surprising, as Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks were beaten by the Cavaliers’ B-team, who rested all of their starters – not without reason.
The score after the 48 regulation minutes was 127-117 in favour of the Ohio side, but the story of the game goes much deeper; it began in Miami with widespread flight cancellations, which forced the Cavs to stay in south Florida after their game against the Heat.
Knowing they would not get back to Cleveland until much later – just a few hours before hosting Dallas – Donovan Mitchell himself stressed that the best option would be to postpone the game against the Texans. The NBA did not grant that (unofficial) request, and the Cavaliers’ response was to release this injury report before the game.
Donovan Mitchell (left knee contusion), James Harden (left calf injury), Peyton Watson (right hamstring injury), Jarrett Allen (right knee injury) and Evan Mobley (left big toe sprain). The latter was not in Miami, as he was injured in the previous game against the Knicks.
Cleveland’s second unit steps up
The Rocket Arena crowd was not at all pleased to hear over the speakers that the starters would not play, and boos could even be heard; however, that did not stop the available players from beating Dallas.
Mario Hezonja and Meleek Thomas scored 22 and 20 points respectively in a very balanced Cleveland attack among the five players who took the court as starters. Jaylon Tyson added 18 points, while Thomas Bryant contributed 19. The best of the lot? Tyrese Proctor, with the first triple-double of his career: 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
“You know how things work in the NBA. Sometimes you have to deal with different circumstances; in this case, this is what we got, but we will always go out and compete so that the fans can be proud of us,” said Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs’ head coach.
Cooper Flagg, a shadow of himself
It is not that the Dallas Mavericks are one of the best teams in the NBA, but beating the Cavaliers in such circumstances was almost an obligation. Yet, shortly before the start of the fourth quarter, they were trailing by as many as 20 points…
Cooper Flagg’s performance was especially disappointing. Despite improving on his rookie-year form, last night he finished with 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field, including 0 of 6 from three. Such a stat line did not help the Mavs in the slightest; they could not compete for the win despite Kyrie Irving’s 34 points, and they are far from being a reliable team.
(Photograph by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
