Cavaliers use big 3rd quarter to overcome Spurs

Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and Jaylon Tyson tallied 16 of his 24 points in the second half as the Cleveland Cavaliers used a big third-quarter run to beat the visiting San Antonio Spurs 130-117 on Friday night.

Tyson, a second-year pro, scored 11 points during a 31-7 run in the third that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good at 98-81. They trailed by nine late in the second quarter before erupting for 44 points in the third.

Evan Mobley had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, which had lost two straight at home. Dean Wade added 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Devin Vassell finished with 28 points, De'Aaron Fox had 25 points and nine assists and Keldon Johnson chipped in 14 points for San Antonio. The Spurs fell to 4-3 on their trip through nine cities in 18 days.

The Spurs carried a 72-64 advantage into the half with Vassell pouring in 25 points in 15 minutes, tying the team record with seven 3-pointers in a half. Fox added 15 points and four assists, while Mitchell had 15 points and Mobley scored 13.

Vassell had 13 points, making 4 of 5 3-pointers, as San Antonio jumped in front by 10 and held a 35-30 lead after the first quarter. Mitchell scored nine for the Cavaliers.

Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama (left calf strain) did not dress for the 10th straight game and guard Stephon Castle (left hip strain) missed his ninth consecutive. Both could return for the NBA Cup quarterfinals Dec. 10 at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Center Luke Kornet (left ankle soreness) was unavailable after being hurt Wednesday in a win at the Orlando Magic.

Cleveland point guard Darius Garland (left great toe soreness) sat out the first half of a back-to-back set, while center Jarrett Allen (right third finger strain) and small forward Sam Merrill (right hand sprain) will be re-evaluated next week.

--Field Level Media