The Cleveland Cavaliers held off a late Brooklyn Nets comeback to secure a 125-121 victory in their home opener on Saturday, October 24, at Rocket Arena. Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, Jarrett Allen added 21 and Evan Mobley recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds as Cleveland improved to 1-1.
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Julius Randle contributed 23 points and Egor Demin finished with 22 points and six assists. The Nets fell to 0-2 after failing to complete a comeback from a 22-point deficit.
Cleveland took control late in the second quarter after Brooklyn had held a 45-44 lead. The Cavaliers went on a 23-9 run over approximately five minutes, with Allen, Mobley and Tyrese Proctor each contributing five points during the stretch. Allen opened the surge with a three-pointer, just the 21st of his 10-year NBA career.
The Cavaliers extended their advantage in the second half, with a Jaylon Tyson three-pointer giving them a 104-82 lead with 9:29 remaining. Tyson finished with 15 points, including three three-pointers, while Cleveland shot 50.6% from the field.
Brooklyn responded through Demin, who hit three three-pointers during a 9-2 run in just 47 seconds to cut the deficit to 11 midway through the fourth quarter. The Nets continued to close the gap and produced a 22-7 run after trailing by 17 with four minutes left.
Porter’s fourth three-pointer brought Brooklyn within 123-121 with 8.1 seconds remaining. However, Porter fouled out on the next sequence, and Sam Merrill converted two free throws to seal Cleveland’s victory.
The Cavaliers finished 29-of-38 from the free-throw line, including 11-of-15 in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn shot 40.2% from the field but made 23 of 27 free throws.
Cleveland will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, October 26, while the Nets return home to face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, October 25.
