On Sunday February 2 at 3:30 pm eastern time, the 39-9 Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the 26-23 Dallas Mavericks at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland Ohio. The Cavaliers previous game was a 137-115 win at home against the Atlanta Hawks last Thursday night. The Mavericks last game was a 117-102 loss on the road to the Detroit Pistons last Friday. Out for Cavaliers was Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro. The Mavericks had a depleted roster due to a blockbuster trade made on the night before this game. The Mavericks sent Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers, in return the Lakers sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Mavericks. Davis was not available for this game due to an abdominal injury. Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell were out for Dallas as well. Kyrie Irving was questionable and did not play either. This game was shaping up to be a big win for the Cavaliers.

In the first quarter the Cavaliers completely blew the doors off the Mavericks and led at the end of the first quarter 50-19. Yes, that score was correct, 50-19 after one quarter of play. In the second quarter the Cavaliers kept pouring it on the Mavericks and led at halftime 91-46. After halftime the Cavaliers and Mavericks played close to even, but the Cavaliers led at the end of the third quarter 119-75. In the fourth and final quarter the Cavaliers played back up players and won their 40th game of the season 144-101.

The Cavalier’s leading scorer was Sam Merrill with 27 points in 23 minutes. Evan Mobley had another double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. The Cavaliers set a franchise record for three-point shots with the team making 26 out of 45 three point shot attempts. Up next for the 40-9 Cleveland Cavaliers is hosting the defending world champion 34-15 Boston Celtics on Tuesday February 4th at 7:30 pm eastern time at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland Ohio. This game could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals this spring. Cavaliers’ fans are hoping for a better outcome than last year’s playoffs. But that was last year, and this year is this year.