Donovan Mitchell socred in 28 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers erupted offensively in the second half to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 146-134 on Saturday, snapping Minnesota’s four-game winning streak.
Mitchell knocked down four 3-pointers and led a balanced Cavaliers attack that saw five players score at least 20 points for just the second time in franchise history. Evan Mobley added 24 points, Jaylon Tyson scored 23 off the bench, Darius Garland finished with 22, and Sam Merrill chipped in 20.
Merrill also made franchise history, becoming the first Cavalier to hit at least five 3-pointers in four consecutive games. The last time Cleveland had five players score 20 or more came on March 14, 1972, against the Baltimore Bullets.
The Cavaliers’ 146 points were the fourth-most in a regulation game in team history. Cleveland shot a season-best 59.2% from the field (55 of 92) and went 15 of 31 from beyond the arc while winning for the fifth time in its last seven games.
Minnesota kept pace offensively, shooting a season-best 57.3% (51 of 89), but couldn’t slow Cleveland after halftime. Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid led the Timberwolves with 25 points apiece, while Julius Randle added 20. Minnesota had beaten Cleveland 131-122 on Thursday night.
After trailing 65-63 at the break, the Cavaliers seized control midway through the third quarter with a decisive 12-0 run in a span of 2:18. Merrill buried two 3-pointers, Mobley threw down a pair of dunks, and Jarrett Allen capped the surge with a floating jumper to make it 82-73 with six minutes remaining. Allen finished with 16 points, marking the 11th time this season all five Cleveland starters scored in double figures.
PURE CINEMA.
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The opening quarter featured 10 lead changes and one tie before Minnesota surged ahead 47-35. Cleveland clawed back late in the second quarter, then dominated the second half to pull away.
The Timberwolves host San Antonio on Sunday, while the Cavaliers return home to face Utah on Monday.
