The Cavs outlast the Nets 105-100, improving their unprecedented start to 11-0

The Cavs got off to a fast start on Saturday, playing for their coach and continuing their unbeaten streak.

Donovan Mitchell scored 15 of his 22 points in the first quarter and the Cavs shot 75% from the field in the first frame. Evan Mobley was perfect at halftime with 13 points, shot 5 of 5 from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded his first double-double in a single half since November 28, 2023, in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks.

But in the second half, the Nets, who started Saturday with the second-slowest pace in the NBA, dictated the pace of the game, allowing them to erase a 15-point deficit as the Cavs led by just two points at halftime.

The Cavs have expressed their desire to come out of the second half with the same energy they start games with. Especially after Friday’s game in which they were tied by a 41-point halftime lead, the Cavs and Atkinson had a chance to right that wrong on Saturday, even though they were still thinking about it.

“I don’t know what our statistics say for the third quarter, [but] I think that’s our next hurdle,” Atkinson said in his pre-game press conference on Saturday. “Obviously last night wasn’t a good one. I know this team struggled in the third quarter. It seems to me that the great teams are also third quarter teams, so we have to do a better job coming out of the locker room.”

Despite the added emphasis, the Cavs saw the Nets go on a 30-5 run and take a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

But when the Cavs trailed by 12 points in the final frame, they pushed back behind the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse crowd.

Even though they had a lot to be upset about outside of their first quarter performance, the Cavs weren’t going to get away quietly.

The Cavs have proven to be starters and finishers with players who can step up when the game comes down to the wire.

Atkinson took over for Evan Mobley as center for the entire fourth quarter, as the 7-footer caused more problems both offensively and defensively than Jarrett Allen had up to that point. Mobley finished the game with 23 points, 16 rebounds, four steals and a block. He was 10 of 11 from the field.

In a game where both teams took double-digit leads, it came down to the final six minutes.

It started with Ty Jerome, who finished with four points, five assists and two steals. Jerome stopped Dennis Schroder and forced a shot clock violation, which led to a layup by Caris LeVert. On the very next possession, Jerome forced another turnover, which led to a dunk by LeVert that cut the Nets’ lead to two.

Then the Cavs turned to their most reliable star to close out the game. Darius Garland finished the game with 20 points and had eight points in the final five minutes of the game.

The Cavs’ 11th victory ended with an exclamation point from Evan Mobley, who blocked the Nets’ final attempt.

Next

The Cavs now continue their 11-0 streak on the road and face the Chicago Bulls on Monday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.