Mitchell, Mobley help Cavaliers stand tall against Wembanyama, Spurs for 5th straight win, 117-101
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Evan Mobley had 28 points and 10 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the San Antonio Spurs 117-99 on Saturday night.
Jarrett Allen had 26 points and 16 rebounds. and Mitchell added eight rebounds and seven assists to help Cleveland win its fifth straight and 13th in 14 games.
Mitchell and San Antonio's Zach Collins were ejected with 54.7 seconds remaining after the Cleveland All-Star leapt up to push Collins in the face and chest after taking an elbow to the head on a moving screen from the center.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 22 points and Keldon Johnson had 17.
The Spurs have lost four straight and 10 of 13 to remain at the bottom of the Western Conference at 10-40.
The Spurs looked like a team playing the second night of a back-to-back and fourth game in six nights. San Antonio’s only lead lasted 33 seconds at 11-10 following a 15-foot jumper by Collins with 6:51 left in the opening quarter.
Cleveland led by double digits throughout the second quarter and opened a 60-40 advantage on Mitchell’s 3-pointer with 2:37 left in the first half.
The Cavaliers used their size advantage to on series of consecutive plays at the rim in the opening quarter.
Mobley opened with a dunk in front of Wembanyama two minutes into the game. On the ensuing possession, Mitchell blocked a short jumper while it was still in Sochan’s hands. Mobley and Allen followed with layups in front of Wembanyama to put the Cavaliers up 10-6 with 8:35 remaining in the first quarter.
Cleveland had 36 points in the paint in the first half while San Antonio had 22.
Wembanyama responded with a pair of 3-pointers, including a step-back 3-pointer he set up with a crossover dribble against Allen.
The Spurs completed a seven-game homestand. San Antonio begins a nine-game trip Wednesday in Miami.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Sacramento on Monday night.
Spurs: At Miami on Wednesday night.
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