Cavs Triumph Over Brooklyn Nets with a Thrilling Comeback Victory

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Once again, the Cavs have pulled off an incredible comeback. Despite being down by as much as 18 points, the Cleveland Cavaliers fought back to claim a 109-104 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night at Rocket Arena.

This marks the Cavs’ 15th consecutive victory, matching their franchise record set at the start of the 2024-25 season. Before this remarkable run, the Cavs’ longest winning streak in franchise history was 13 games. The victory also secures the Central Division title, the eighth in their history.

The Cavs trailed for almost the entire game, leading for just 3 minutes and 48 seconds before storming back in the final quarter. They reclaimed the lead on an Isaac Okoro layup with 6:20 left on the clock and maintained their momentum throughout.

Turning up the heat on defense, Cleveland forced multiple 24-second shot clock violations and effectively counterattacked. The fourth quarter belonged to Darius Garland, who has earned the nickname “Mr. Fourth Quarter.” Scoring 18 of his 30 points in the final period, Garland played a pivotal role in securing the win. Cleveland tallied 31 points in the last quarter alone.

Although Garland struggled for much of the game, he showed his characteristic resilience in the fourth quarter. The Cavs needed a strong surge after a tough first half, where they managed just 50 points and shot only 36%, excluding Evan Mobley’s performance with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

In the second half, it was the other big man for the Cavs who delivered a remarkable performance. Jarrett Allen dropped 11 of his 23 points in the third quarter and made his presence known on defense and the boards with seven rebounds, four of which were offensive, shifting the game’s dynamics in favor of the Cavs.

Even though the Nets had a size advantage on the wings due to key Cavs players Donovan Mitchell (groin soreness), De’Andre Hunter (illness), and Ty Jerome (rest) sitting out, they struggled against Allen’s relentless effort and power on the glass, thereby creating more chances for Cleveland’s side.

Throughout the game, each quarter highlighted one of the Cavs’ vital Core Four players. “He’s part of the big four. There’s no question about that,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson about Allen before the game. “There’s not a big three. There’s a big four. He’s a big part of it.”

The trio of Allen, Garland, and Mobley combined for a significant 74 of the Cavs’ total 109 points. Garland completed the game with 30 points and eight assists, Allen secured 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Mobley contributed 21 points and eight rebounds.

While the role players’ scoring wasn’t the highlight, their contributions, especially in defense, played a key role in the momentum shift. The Cavs’ defense stifled the Nets in the second half, allowing only 41 points in those 24 minutes and just 18 points in the final quarter.

Since the All-Star break, the Cavs have had a tendency to start games sluggishly and play down to their opponents, but they consistently maintain tight games only to outpace teams in the fourth quarter. For Cleveland, it’s not just about winning but growing through these closely contested games as they prep for the playoffs, constantly learning through victory.