CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are halfway to their first victory of the season, taking a 68-52 lead over the Brooklyn Nets into halftime Saturday night at Rocket Arena.
After a competitive first quarter, Cleveland began pulling away in the second, outscoring Brooklyn 33-22. The Cavaliers finished the half on a 20-6 run, turning a two-point lead into a 16-point advantage.
Cleveland led 35-30 after the opening quarter, thanks in part to late three-pointers from Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja. The Cavaliers continued finding success from the perimeter in the second quarter, with Craig Porter Jr., Jarrett Allen, Peyton Watson, and Tyrese Proctor all connecting from beyond the arc.
The decisive stretch came in the final five minutes of the half. Allen knocked down a three-pointer, Donovan Mitchell added a basket, and Watson followed with another three to help Cleveland create some separation.
Proctor also provided an offensive spark off the bench, scoring on a driving layup before connecting on a three-pointer with less than a minute remaining. Watson capped the half with a putback layup, giving Cleveland its largest lead of the night.
Evan Mobley contributed on both ends of the floor, scoring inside, connecting from three-point range, and making several defensive plays. Cleveland also benefited from Brooklyn turnovers, including two steals by Mobley late in the second quarter.
The Cavaliers are looking to bounce back after Thursday's disappointing 114-106 loss to Philadelphia, when they squandered a 29-point lead. Saturday's second half will provide another test of Cleveland's ability to protect a sizable advantage and finish a game.
With 68 points already on the board, the Cavaliers have put themselves in an excellent position to pick up their first win, but they'll need to maintain their defensive intensity and avoid another second-half collapse.
