NBA round-up: Dallas Mavericks beaten by Cleveland Cavaliers hours after Luka Doncic trade
2025-02-03
Category: sports

The Dallas Mavericks were beaten 144-101 by the Cleveland Cavaliers just hours after Luka Doncic's shock trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Five-time NBA All-Star Doncic was part of a three-way deal involving Lakers' Anthony Davis and Max Christie, who made the move to Dallas but were unable to play in Sunday's game at Cleveland. Sam Merrill came off the bench to score nine three-pointers as Eastern Conference leaders Cavaliers cruised to a comfortable victory.Evan Mobley scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Darius Garland finished with 17 points and 10 assists. Boston Celtics came back from a 26-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-110. Philadelphia, who were missing Joel Embiid and Paul George through injury, dominated the early stages before defending champions Celtics rallied to outscore the hosts 54-20 in the final 15 minutes. Jaylen Brown had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Boston, while Kristaps Porzingis scored 18 points with seven rebounds. The Celtics, who are second in the Eastern Conference, play the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Elsewhere, the Detroit Pistons had seven players in double figures, including Cade Cunningham with 22 points, as they defeated the Chicago Bulls 127-119. RJ Barrett had 20 points and seven assists as the Toronto Raptors secured a 115-108 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. 