Mayo pours in 19, Mavericks finish strong to edge Cavs

Cleveland, OH, United States (4E Sports) – O.J Mayo scored 19 points and Chris Kaman added 15 as the Dallas Mavericks toppled the skidding Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-95, Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Mavericks keep on finding ways to win despite the absence of their franchise player Dirk Nowitzki. Mayo, the Mavs’ scoring leader, shot 5-for-9 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to lead six Mavs in double figures.

Fresh from absorbing a 103-83 beating at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, the Mavs were a lbit tentative in the opening minutes but picked upp their play midway through the opening quarter to keep on pace with a solid-shooting Cavs.

Reigning Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving recorded 10 points and Tristan Thompson added 8 points in the first half to give the Cavs a precarious one-point lead, 52-51, at the break.

The Mavs and Cavs sustained the back-and-forth affair into the fourth quarter, getting locked in an 89-89 tie with 5:08 remaining in the fourth.

But the visiting team executed down the stretch, closing it on a 14-6 run to secure a much-needed win on the road.

The Mavs received a big boost from veteran forward Shawn Marion, who recorded 10 points and 10 board in his second game from a knee injury.

Irving finished with a game-high 26 points despite suffering a left index contusion in the third quarter. Rookie Dion Waiters delivered 16 points and Alonzo Gee added 15 for the Cavs, who dropped their last five games.

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