NBA-best Cavaliers jump out to huge lead, crush Nets

Evan Mobley scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, Caris LeVert scored all 19 of his points in the first half and the Cleveland Cavaliers seized control early and cruised to a 130-101 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

Cleveland led by as many as 37, improved to 23-4 for the best start in team history and is 8-4 since winning its first 15 games.

Donovan Mitchell contributed 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and was the only starter to miss more than two shots from the field. Georges Niang contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, Jarrett Allen and Issac Okoro finished with 12 points apiece and Darius Garland chipped in 11 as the Cavs shot 53.1 percent, hit 19 3-pointers and reached 130 points for the seventh time this season.

Mobley was 6-of-7 shooting after the break and did most of his damage after Cleveland held a 72-40 halftime lead. The forward scored 10 points in the third to help the Cavs take a 104-77 lead into the fourth.

Coming off the bench, LeVert made his first five 3s to help the Cavs surge ahead in the first quarter. The former Net hit a pair of 3s in a span of 28 seconds during Cleveland's 16-0 run, then made another trey in the final minute to help the Cavs take a 37-17 lead through the opening 12 minutes.

Cleveland scored 15 straight points midway through the second and LeVert hit two more 3s in the final 2:44 as the lead reached 72-40 by halftime.

After trading Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Nets lost for the sixth time in seven games after winning three straight Nov. 24-27. Brooklyn also allowed at least 130 points for the second straight game and fourth time overall.

Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, Day'Ron Sharpe added 15 and Jalen Wilson contributed 13. Ben Simmons added 10 points and eight assists but also committed six of Brooklyn's season-worst 22 turnovers, resulting in 34 Cleveland points.

--Field Level Media