The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Proctor Records Triple-Double as Cavaliers Defeat Mavericks 127-117
By Adrian Cole
Photo: Erik Drost / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Tyrese Proctor recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 127-117 on Saturday at Rocket Arena.
Proctor led a balanced Cleveland effort that featured five players scoring at least 18 points. Mario Hezonja added 22 points and seven rebounds, Meleek Thomas scored 20, and Thomas Bryant finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylon Tyson contributed 18 points.
The game was tied 33-33 after the first quarter, but Cleveland took command in the second. The Cavaliers outscored Dallas 38-20 in the period to open a 71-53 halftime lead, then carried a 105-91 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Cleveland pushed its lead to 22 points in the final period before Dallas trimmed the margin to 10 late. The Mavericks’ rally was not enough to overcome the deficit built during the middle quarters, and the Cavaliers held on for the 10-point win.
Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 34 points for Dallas, adding six rebounds and five assists. Cooper Flagg recorded 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Caleb Martin contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
Dallas center Daniel Gafford left the game with a stinger injury.
Cleveland’s offensive and rebounding numbers helped underpin the victory. The Cavaliers shot 53.3 percent from the field and outrebounded Dallas 60-46. They also finished with 31 assists, compared with 23 for the Mavericks.
The win brought Cleveland’s record to 7-7. Dallas fell to 7-6.
Adrian Cole
NBA, The Library Media
