The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to continue their impressive dominance over Western Conference teams when they face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. The Cavaliers have recorded their eighth straight double-digit victory with a commanding 122-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, improving their record to 9-0 against Western Conference opponents with an average margin of victory of 16.3 points per game.
Cavaliers’ Recent Success
- Jarrett Allen: Allen had a standout performance with a season-high 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting, along with 14 rebounds against the Lakers.
- Donovan Mitchell: Mitchell contributed 26 points, while Evan Mobley added 20 points and six rebounds.
- Max Strus: Strus, who missed the team’s first 27 games due to an ankle injury, highlighted his return with a 15-point performance, including four 3-pointers.
- Darius Garland: Garland collected 14 points and a season-high 14 assists against the Lakers.
Mavericks’ Struggles
The Mavericks are coming off a tough stretch, losing the final three games of their four-game road trip while playing without superstar Luka Doncic due to a calf injury. Doncic is expected to be sidelined for at least a month. Quentin Grimes, a Houston native, scored 17 points off the bench in Dallas’ 110-99 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday.
Key Injuries
- Dallas Mavericks: In addition to Doncic, forward P.J. Washington sustained a right knee sprain and did not return after halftime against the Rockets. Naji Marshall is also serving a four-game suspension.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro is out with a shoulder injury.
Matchup History
This will be the first meeting between the Cavaliers and Mavericks this season. Last season, Orlando won all three games against Toronto, including a buzzer-beating victory and an overtime win.
Outlook
The Cavaliers will look to build on their recent success and continue their winning momentum, while the Mavericks will aim to break their losing streak and secure a much-needed road victory. The injuries on both sides will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game.
