Rolling from Luka Dončić-trade, short-handed Mavericks loser with 43 to cavaliers

After Saturday evening’s amazing blockbuster trading, which sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks was probably Shell-Shocked, who went into Sunday’s Matchup with Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mavericks were markedly short -handed with three players sent to LA (two of whom, Dončić and Maxi Kleber, were already out with injuries). When the trade was ended late, Anthony Davis and Max Christie are not yet connected to the team.

Kyrie Irving (sore right shoulder), PJ Washington (right knee -soreness) and Daniel Gafford (sore left ankle) were also looking for the game. And the middle Dereck Lively II has been sidelined in the last two weeks, expected to miss two to three months with a broken foot.

These were not the best circumstances to meet the NBA-best Cavaliers on their home ground. As expected, Mavs was absolutely stambled.

Dallas was down with 45 at the break, 91-46. During the fourth quarter, Mavericks pulled down with 50 points down 127-75 with 10 minutes left. The final score was 144-101.

Jaden Hardy led the Zombie Mavericks troop with 19 points, followed by 14 points from Dante Exum. Naji Marshall and Kylor Kelley added every 12 points. Kelley, the only available center on the guard plan, also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Cleveland shot 59% on 3-Pointers (26 for 44), led by nine from Sam Merrill, who scored a game-high 27 points. With almost no frontcourt opposition, Evan Mobley spoke 22 points with 11 rebounds and four blocks. Darius Garland ended with 17 points and 10 assists. Eight Cavaliers scored in double.

Next for Cavaliers is a Tuesday clash with Boston Celtics, where the eastern conference’s top two teams against each other. Mavericks will continue their four-game road trip on the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday before facing Celtics on Thursday.