NBA Playoffs: Evan Mobley comes up big with game-saving block to give Cavaliers 3-2 lead
The Cavaliers have the lead in NBA TV's favorite series.
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The Cavaliers have the lead in NBA TV's favorite series.
Here are the five biggest takeaways from the NBA's playoff blowout weekend, plus a power ranking of all eight Game 1 results from least to most surprising.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers spent the week insisting they were better prepared for this year's playoffs. Mitchell scored 30 points, Jarrett Allen had 18 rebounds and the Cavs looked tougher — mentally and physically — than in last year's first-round flop, beating the Orlando Magic 97-83 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. “Last year is over with,” Mitchell said.
Caris LeVert scored 26 points and Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Utah Jazz 129-113 on Tuesday night. LeVert started in place of Donovan Mitchell, who missed Tuesday’s game due to injury management. Evan Mobley added 21 points for the Cavs, and reserve Sam Merrill had 18 points on six 3-pointers.
The Kings led by as many as 26 points in Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers despite the absences of Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter.