Dallas Mavericks was far from activated in their first match since the team traded Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Anthony Davis.
Mavericks allowed Cleveland Cavaliers 91 points at the break and lost the game 144-101.
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Cleveland Cavaliers watch Sam Merrill responds after hit a 3-point basket in the first half of an NBA basketball match against Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, February 2, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
“Everyone was just locked in, even with the trade and everything that was going on today,” said Cavs star Evan Mobley after the game. “We started hot and kept our foot on the gas.”
Sam Merrill added nine 3-pointers to Cleveland. Cavaliers made 16 3-Pointers in the first half and ended with 26 in total.
“We were at 80 (points) with like four minutes left and I was like ‘man, let’s try to get 100,'” Merrill said. “But these games are not always easy. I’ve been a part of games where everyone is out and it’s a close game because it’s hard to have the right mindset in a game like this.
“It is such an honor for starters to get out and play the right way and communicate and defend and share basketball. To get out to the big lead and then the benches come in and keep it going. I’ve been a part of around The 80s are 90 (at the break) crazy.
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Maverick’s guard Luka Doncic looks at the team bench in the second quarter against Washington Wizards at the American Airlines Center on January 27, 2025 in Dallas. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
It was the closure of a wild day for mavericks. Dallas woke up and its five-time all-star was suddenly traded for Lakers.
Maverick’s general manager Nico Harrison defended the deal before the game.
“I understand why [fans] Would be shocked, originally, ”Harrison told Dallas Morning News.
“But I think we placed ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that is ultimately the goal and why we are here. It’s one of the things where it’s my job to take the hard decisions that set our goals first and foremost.
Doncic’s expansion of $ 207 million will expire this year and he was going to a supermax worth over $ 340 million. Plus, he was soon able to opt out of other offers. So Harrison wanted security. Now he is not eligible for Supermax anymore.
“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a stormy summer, being eligible for Supermax and also a year away from he could opt out of any contract,” Harrison said. “And then we really felt that we were coming out in front of it. We know team, they’ve had it out there, teams have loaded to try to sign him when it comes available.”
Dallas Maverick’s main coach Jason Kidd, Left, and general manager Nico Harrison discusses trading with Luka Doncic on February 2, 2025 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Doncic thanked fans for their support while he was with Dallas. He did not mention Mavericks in his goodbye message.
