Donovan Mitchell, Cavs overwhelm Grizzlies in 2nd half

Field Level Media|published: Wed 10th April, 21:39 2024

Apr 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jack White (14) and forward Timmy Allen (0) go for a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. credits: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and Caris LeVert added 18 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who took control in the second half to beat the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 110-98 on Wednesday.

Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland (47-33), which trailed by three at halftime before outscoring the Grizzlies 30-16 in the third quarter. Darius Garland added 16 points and nine assists, and Evan Mobley finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Cleveland snapped a three-game losing streak and held the Grizzlies to 39.3 percent shooting. The Cavaliers led by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter.

Jake LaRavia set career highs with eight 3-pointers and 32 points for injury-plagued Memphis (27-53), which had just eight players available. GG Jackson scored 22 points, Scotty Pippen Jr. added 18, and Lamar Stevens chipped in 16.

LaRavia shot 8-for-11 from beyond the arc for the undermanned Grizzlies, who lost their third straight game after fading in the second half on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Cleveland led 32-29 at the end of the opening quarter after closing on a 12-0 run. Mitchell had 13 points for the period.

Memphis clamped down on defense in the second quarter and held a 51-48 advantage at intermission. LaRavia scored 21 points in the half for the Grizzlies, who held the Cavaliers to 16 points in the second quarter on 23.8 percent shooting.

Allen recorded his 41st double-double of the season and scored 12 points in the third quarter to help the Cavaliers move ahead 78-67.

Cleveland maintained the momentum in the fourth quarter and went up 92-76 when LeVert scored with 7:27 remaining in the contest.

Garland hit a 3-pointer with 3:49 left to extend the lead to 104-84, and the Cavaliers went on to complete a two-game season sweep of the Grizzlies.

Mitchell returned after sitting out one game for a rest, and he had eight assists while shooting 9-for-17 from the field and 5-for-10 from 3-point range.

The Grizzlies' list of injured players includes Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Ziaire Williams and Derrick Rose.

—Field Level Media

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