The Dallas Mavericks had been removed from energized of their first sport because the crew traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and purchased Anthony Davis.
The Mavericks allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers 91 factors at halftime and misplaced the sport 144-101.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill reacts after hitting a 3-point basket within the first half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki)
“Everybody was simply locked in even with the commerce and every little thing that was occurring at the moment,” Cavs star Evan Mobley mentioned after the sport. “We began scorching and stored our foot on the fuel.”
Sam Merrill added 9 3-pointers for Cleveland. The Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers within the first half and completed with 26 in whole.
“We had been at 80 (factors) with like 4 minutes left, and I used to be like, ‘Man, let’s attempt to get 100,’” Merrill mentioned. “However these video games aren’t all the time simple. I’ve been part of video games the place everyone seems to be out, and it’s a detailed sport as a result of it’s exhausting to have the best mindset in a sport like this.
“It’s such a credit score to the starters to come back out and play the best means and talk and defend and share the basketball. To get out to that massive lead after which the bench guys are available and preserve it going. I’ve been part of some 80s however 90 (at halftime) is loopy.”
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Mavericks guard Luka Doncic appears on from the crew bench through the second quarter in opposition to the Washington Wizards on the American Airways Middle on Jan. 27, 2025 in Dallas. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs)
It was the closing of a wild day for the Mavericks. Dallas awoke, and its five-time All-Star was abruptly traded to the Lakers.
Mavericks normal supervisor Nico Harrison defended the deal earlier than the sport.
“I perceive why [fans] can be shocked, initially,” Harrison instructed the Dallas Morning Information.
“However I do imagine that we positioned ourselves to win now and in addition win sooner or later. And that’s finally the aim and why we’re right here. It’s a type of issues the place it’s my job to make the powerful selections that put our targets in the beginning.”
Doncic’s $207 million extension is about to run out this yr, and he was due for a supermax that was price over $340 million. Plus, he was quickly capable of choose out of another offers. So, Harrison needed safety. Now, he’s not eligible for the supermax anymore.
“We actually really feel like we acquired forward of what was going to be a tumultuous summer season, him being eligible for the supermax and in addition a yr away from him having the ability to choose out of any contract,” Harrison mentioned. “And so we actually felt like we acquired out in entrance of that. We all know groups, they’ve had it on the market, groups have been loading as much as attempt to signal him as soon as that comes obtainable.”
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, left, and normal supervisor Nico Harrison talk about the commerce of Luka Doncic on Feb. 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki)
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Doncic thanked followers for his or her help whereas he was with Dallas. He didn’t point out the Mavericks in his goodbye message.
Fox Information’ Ryan Morik and the Related Press contributed to this report.
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