Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies fights Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 2, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. Both players are ejected. The Cavaliers defeated the Grizzlies with a score of 128-113. Image Jason Miller/Getty/AFP
Darius Garland had 32 points and 11 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame star Donovan Mitchell’s third-round knockout to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-113 on Thursday.
Cedi Osman scored 21 points for Cleveland, after 10 games over 0.500 and improved to 22-6 at home. Jarrett Allen contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, Evan Mobley scored 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Ricky Rubio scored 13 points.
🔥 32 points
🔥 11 AST
🔥 4 BaDarius Garland leads the Cavs to victory. pic.twitter.com/UhKRNTLDTI
– NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2023
Desmond Bane scored 25 points for Memphis, while Ja Morant added 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Santi Aldama had a career-high 21 points plus 10 rebounds, while Brandon Clarke scored 10.
The Grizzlies have lost six straight games and seven of their last eight.
With 5:48 remaining in the third inning and the Cavaliers leading by five, Mitchell and Memphis’s Dillon Brooks were sent off after a mess under the basket.
Mitchell had six points on shooting 2/11, while Brooks walked away with nine.
Cleveland led 99-87 in the fourth inning before scoring the first five points of the inning for the biggest game lead to that point.
Memphis took a 118-98 lead midway through the fourth half after Rubio scored eight points in a 13-5 run.
Garland scored 14 points in the first half to give Cleveland a 30-26 lead.
Morant came on to the bench after making a third foul with halftime remaining 4:26 and the Grizzlies leading by six. Cleveland took advantage with a 14-7 scoreline to close the first half and enter the break with a 67-54 advantage.
Aldama started in place of Jaren Jackson Jr. (right thigh pain) and scored 16 points in the first half. Garland has 19 points to lead all scorers.
Cleveland avenged the 115-114 loss to Memphis on January 18 by shooting 53.8%, including 14 of 29 (48.3%) from 3-point range.
Cleveland competed without guard Caris LeVert, who is listed as daily with right hamstring pain.
BUT RELATED STORY
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your registration has been successful.
Continue reading
Register QUESTIONER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints or requests, Contact us.
