Collin Sexton followed up the best game of his career by totaling 25 points and a season-high 9 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers took control in the 3rd quarter and posted a 125-113 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets Friday night, January 22 (Saturday, January 23, Philippine time).
Two nights after scoring a career-high 42 points in Cleveland’s wild 147-135 double overtime win over the Nets, Sexton helped the Cavaliers get their third straight win. He scored 8 points in the 3rd when Cleveland dominated by outscoring the Nets, 37-24, and forced 8 turnovers.
Former Net Jarrett Allen added 19 with a 7-of-9 shooting display that included a few dunks over former teammate Joe Harris. Andre Drummond posted his 13th double-double by collecting 19 points and 16 rebounds to help the Cavaliers to a commanding 70-44 margin in the paint.
Larry Nance Jr added 15 while former Net Taurean Prince contributed 14 for the Cavaliers, who shot 51.7% and outrebounded the Nets by a whopping 62-32 margin.
Kyrie Irving scored 38 points in his second game from a two-week absence but it was not enough for the Nets, who rested Kevin Durant ahead of the back end of a back-to-back against Miami.
James Harden added 19 and 11 assists for the Nets, who shot 48.3% but also misfired on 29-of-43 three-point tries.
Brooklyn briefly held a 70-69 lead with 7:47 left on a three-pointer by Harden but Cleveland ripped off a 14-2 run for an 83-72 lead on a three-point play by Sexton 2 1/2 minutes later.
After the Nets were within 91-84 on a triple by Jeff Green with 1:53 left, Cleveland scored the next 7 points and held a 98-84 lead into the 4th.
Brooklyn cut the deficit to 10 points 5 times in the 4th but each time Cleveland immediately scored.
The Nets’ last 10-point deficit was 111-101 with 4:37 remaining on two free throws by Irving but Drummond hit a seven-footer in the lane on the next possession and following a missed three-pointer by Harden, Sexton connected with Isaac Okoro for a layup that made it 115-102 with 3:30 left and essentially sealed the win. – Rappler.com
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