WRAP-UP
Monday’s loss was a combination of two issues that have plagued the Cavs all season – the third-quarter blues and running out of gas down the stretch due to a shortage of healthy bodies.
Both bit Cleveland after intermission against a Pacers team also battling the injury bug – with Indy limiting the Wine & Gold to just 17 points in the third period and closed the contest on a 20-11 run, pulling away for the 111-102 win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Utilizing just eight players on Monday, J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad went toe-to-toe with their Central Division rivals – with 13 lead-changes through the first three quarters.
Luka Doncic ejected, Cleveland Cavaliers can’t capitalize in 124-97 loss to Dallas Mavericks
Updated May 10, 2021;
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CLEVELAND, Ohio Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic makes one trip to Cleveland where there’s a massive Slovenian population eagerly awaiting a chance to watch him in person. That appearance was cut short Sunday night.
Doncic got ejected early in the third quarter. But the Mavericks didn’t need him. Not with the Cavaliers in this current state. Dallas toppled Cleveland for the second time in as many nights, 124-97.
At the 10:05 mark of the third quarter, while jostling with Collin Sexton underneath the basket, Doncic angrily and aggressively struck Sexton in the groin. Following a lengthy review, Doncic was hit with a flagrant foul 2 and automatic ejection. As the announcement was made inside the arena, a perplexed Doncic looked on before asking for an explanation and then eventually giggling his way to the visitor’s locker room.
Monday, May 10, 2021 at 7:30 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Matchup
After suffering a tough one-point overtime loss to the Washington Wizards, the Pacers (31-36) look to rebound against the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Indiana s magic number to clinch a spot in the Play-In Tournament is currently three.
Sitting at a record of 21-47, the Cavaliers are already mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Cleveland s last victory came on April 21. In total, they have won just seven games since the All-Star break. To make matters worse, J.B. Bickerstaff s squad has been dealing with numerous injuries. On May 4, the team was granted a hardship exception by the NBA in order to acquire longtime veteran Anderson Varejao for roster depth purposes. On May 5, he appeared in his first NBA game since 2017.
NBA roundup: Anthony Davis drops 42 in Lakers win
Field Level Media
10 May 2021, 15:55 GMT+10
Anthony Davis had 42 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers made 13 shots from 3-point range to overwhelm the Phoenix Suns in a 123-110 win on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles avoided the three-game season sweep by Phoenix and remained one game behind the Portland Trail Blazersfor the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference standings with four games left. The top six teams avoid the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs.
Los Angeles, which lost eight of its previous 10 games, was without LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder. After being out six weeks because of an ankle injury, James has missed the last four games with the same injury.
May 10, 2021
The Cleveland Cavs dropped their tenth straight game with a 124-97 blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Only two Cavs starters scored in double figures, led by Collin Sexton s 24-points and rookie Isaac Okoro who had 12. Cleveland will now have a short turnaround as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic gave himself an early night after striking Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton below the belt. Doncic was ejected from the game in the third quarter against the Cavaliers after a flagrant two was assessed for the strike. The incident occurred after the two battled for a rebound. Doncic said after the game it wasn t on purpose.