The Cavaliers’ trip home from Miami turned into a mess, and now they’re trying to turn around and play a home game against the Mavericks with barely any breathing room.
After the NBA’s nationwide ground stop on Friday, Cleveland couldn’t get back from its 133-121 loss to the Heat on its normal schedule. The team was reportedly set to start flying back at 9 a.m.
Saturday and land at noon, leaving only a few hours to reset before tipoff. Some players wanted the game cancelled, but that does not appear to be the plan.
So the Cavs are stuck shifting straight from travel chaos to a matchup that looks about as even as it gets.
Dallas comes in at 7-5 and above .500, while Cleveland is trying to keep pace in a game where the numbers around the two teams are remarkably close. Still, the Mavericks have a couple of clear edges, starting with the way they attack the glass. Offensive rebounding is one area where Dallas should be able to press an advantage, even if the broader season numbers make the matchup look tighter than that.
The biggest reason the Mavericks have stayed on track is Cooper Flagg. The rookie has been rolling, averaging just under 25 points per game while shooting 50% from the field. He’s playing like an All-NBA talent and MVP candidate, and there’s no sign of a sophomore slump after his rookie season.
Kyrie Irving is back in the mix too, and he’s looked like he never left. After a season-long injury, Irving is averaging 21 points per game and shooting nearly 50/40/90, a statistical line that very few players ever reach.
Together, Flagg and Irving have given Dallas a dangerous one-two punch after the team traded Luka Doncic. The Mavericks have leaned hard into the Flagg era, and so far it’s paying off.
Cleveland will also be marking its 2016 NBA Championship celebration tonight, and Irving’s return gives that part of the night some extra weight. His impact on the franchise is set to be recognized in the program.
On the court, this shapes up as a tight one. The Cavaliers will need Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson to make life difficult for Flagg if they want to pull it out. Dallas was blown out 133-94 when Flagg and Irving combined for just 22 points on 9-for-23 shooting, and Cleveland will be hoping for a similar outcome.
Prediction: Cavaliers 119, Mavericks 115.
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Dallas comes in with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving front and center, and Irvings first trip back to Cleveland since February 2024 adds another layer to a game already carrying some intrigue. For the Cavs, the bigger question is how much they lean into caution versus competition, because any shift in the starting group would open the door for bench players to take on a much larger role without any official decision yet on how the night will unfold. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Cavs, it is the kind of commitment that changes the conversation from short-term success to long-term contention. Mitchell has continued to drive the offense this season, averaging 22.8 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game, and his decision gives Cleveland a centerpiece to build around as it tries to turn a breakthrough postseason run into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]