The game tipped off at 12:30 AM on February 3, 2025, inside a packed Rocket Arena with 19,432 in attendance to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Dallas Mavericks.
By halftime, the outcome already felt decided.
Cleveland poured in a franchise-record 91 first-half points and never looked back in a dominant 144–101 victory that highlighted one of the most explosive shooting displays of the season.
Dallas, now 26–24 and 12–14 on the road, struggled to contain Cleveland’s perimeter attack and fell into a hole they could not escape.
The Cavaliers improved to 40–9 and 24–3 at home with a performance built on pace, spacing, and ruthless efficiency.
Key takeaways
- Cavaliers scored 91 points in the first half
- Cleveland hit 26 three-pointers at 58 percent
- Dallas never held a lead in the game
First Half Avalanche Sets the Tone
Cleveland opened the game with a stunning 50-point first quarter that immediately put Dallas on the back foot.
The Cavaliers followed with 41 more in the second period to build a 91–46 halftime lead.
Ball movement and transition scoring tore apart the Mavericks’ defensive structure.
Darius Garland controlled tempo while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley attacked mismatches inside and out.
Dallas shot just 39 percent from the field for the game and could not keep pace with Cleveland’s rhythm.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mavericks | 19 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 101 |
| Cavaliers | 50 | 41 | 28 | 25 | 144 |
First half notes
- Cleveland’s 50-point first quarter broke the game open
- Dallas struggled to defend in transition
- Garland dictated pace from the opening tip
Three-Point Barrage Defines the Night
The statistical gap from beyond the arc told the story.
Cleveland made 26 of 45 three-point attempts, while Dallas hit only nine of 43.
Sam Merrill led the way with 27 points, drilling nine of 13 from deep in a remarkable shooting display.
Max Strus, Garland, Mitchell, and Georges Niang all joined the perimeter party.
The Mavericks simply could not rotate quickly enough to contest the volume of attempts.
| Category | Mavericks | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 39% (40-103) | 57% (53-93) |
| Three Point % | 21% (9-43) | 58% (26-45) |
| Assists | 22 | 39 |
| Fast Break Points | 11 | 33 |
| Largest Lead | 0 | 53 |
Perimeter impact
- Merrill’s nine threes led all scorers
- Cleveland’s ball movement created open looks
- Dallas’ closeouts consistently late
Mobley and Garland Control the Interior and Tempo
While the three-point shooting drew attention, Evan Mobley’s all-around game anchored the performance.
Mobley finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks with a +47 plus-minus rating.
Garland added 17 points and 10 assists in just 23 minutes, constantly finding open shooters.
Jarrett Allen dominated the glass with nine rebounds and interior defense.
Cleveland won the rebounding battle 51–45 despite taking far fewer contested shots.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Mobley | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8-12 | +47 |
| Darius Garland | 17 | 3 | 10 | 6-8 | +32 |
| Sam Merrill | 27 | 1 | 0 | 9-14 | +1 |
| Jaden Hardy | 21 | 3 | 2 | 8-19 | -15 |
Control factors
- Mobley protected the rim and finished efficiently
- Garland’s passing created rhythm offense
- Cleveland’s starters all posted strong plus-minus figures
Mavericks Struggle for Offensive Consistency
Jaden Hardy led Dallas with 21 points, but needed 19 shots to get there.
Kylor Kelley was a bright spot on the glass with 11 rebounds, including three offensive boards.
Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson combined to shoot 3-for-16 from the field.
Dallas’ 103 shot attempts reflected how often they were forced into difficult late-clock looks.
The Mavericks recorded just 22 assists compared to Cleveland’s 39.
| Mavericks Key Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Rebounds | 45 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 10 |
| Assists | 22 |
| Turnovers | 9 |
| Points in Paint | 50 |
Dallas concerns
- Poor perimeter shooting disrupted spacing
- Limited ball movement led to isolation attempts
- Defensive breakdowns carried into offensive frustration
Bench Production Widens the Gap
Cleveland’s bench sustained the momentum throughout the second half.
Caris LeVert, Ty Jerome, and Niang combined for efficient scoring and playmaking.
The Cavaliers’ reserves ensured there was no drop in intensity even with starters resting.
Dallas’ bench production was modest and failed to change the game’s flow.
| Bench Points | Mavericks | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Bench Points | 58 | 70 |
| Bench Assists | 6 | 11 |
| Bench Rebounds | 18 | 19 |
Bench influence
- Cavaliers maintained pace with second unit
- Dallas lacked scoring punch off the bench
- Game intensity never dipped for Cleveland
Cleveland’s performance was a statement of depth, shooting precision, and offensive cohesion that overwhelmed Dallas from the opening minutes.