Cavaliers Defeat the Nets 111-102: Game Recap 1/11/24

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – Marvelous Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell went off in Paris, scoring 45 points, including making multiple critical shots in the 4th quarter to keep the Nets in the loss column.

2 – Strus Injury 

Max Strus left the game with right knee soreness early in the 1st half.  Strus is the latest on the Cavs’ injury report, and he has been dependable throughout the season, not missing a game. 

Sam Merrill replaced him, playing 32 minutes, and while Merrill only scored six points, he was solid on the defensive end.

3 – Thompson and Claxton

Early in the 4th Quarter, Tristan Thompson and Nic Claxton started to jaw at each other, which ended with Claxton taunting Thompson and Thompson retaliating with a chest bump, putting Claxton to the ground.  One could argue that Claxton flopped to the ground, but no matter as Thompson was ejected for a flagrant two-foul while Claxton was given a technical. 

Game Summary

Donovan Mitchell achieved a season-high 45 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 111-102 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA’s third regular-season game held in Paris on Thursday.

Mitchell’s impressive performance propelled the Cavaliers to a lead they maintained throughout the game. He scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, including four 3-pointers, turning the tide and preventing the Nets from fully closing the gap after reducing a 26-point deficit to single digits.

In Cleveland’s inaugural regular-season game outside North America, Caris LeVert contributed 21 points, and Jarrett Allen recorded a career-best eighth-consecutive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to four, boasting a 9-3 record since December 16.

Isaac Okoro also added 12 points, while Mitchell demonstrated versatility by grabbing 12 rebounds.

For the Nets, Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas each scored 26 points, but their struggles continued as they lost 12 of their last 15 games. Lonnie Walker IV chipped in with 20 points.

Despite the Nets’ challenges, the game lacked the anticipated excitement for the crowd, including French soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé and former NBA stars Tony Parker and Joakim Noah.

Looking ahead, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about the future of basketball events in Paris, especially with the upcoming Olympics this summer. He suggested the possibility of a powerhouse U.S. roster participating in future events in France, emphasizing the love of competition and the market’s importance.

Silver mentioned the NBA’s intention to return to France next season, potentially featuring teams playing multiple games. France has become a crucial market for the league, ranking No. 1 in Europe and the Middle East for sales of NBA-branded merchandise. The country’s prominence is further highlighted by its record 14 players on opening-night rosters this season.

Mitchell’s stellar performance set the tone for Cleveland, leading them to a commanding 54-34 halftime lead and extending it further in the third quarter. Despite Tristan Thompson’s ejection in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers managed to secure the victory, overcoming the absence of key players Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.

Up Next

Host Chicago on Monday.