After trailing by 10 at halftime, Cleveland outscored Washington 62-42 after the break to win 121-111.
Washington poured in 42 in the first quarter and led 69-59 at halftime after a 27-25 second. Cleveland seized control after the break, taking the third quarter 33-23 and the fourth 29-19 to turn a 10-point deficit into a 10-point win. The supplied player line credits Cleveland’s Peyton Watson with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, plus 1 rebound, 1 assist, no steals or blocks and 2 turnovers. Evan Mobley recorded 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three, with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, no steals or blocks and 1 turnover. For Washington, Bilal Coulibaly had 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting, 1 steal, 1 block and no turnovers; Alexandre Sarr added 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, no blocks and 1 turnover. Cleveland’s 62-42 second half was the decisive swing, and the Cavaliers finished with the 121-111 result.
Key Performers
Peyton Watson (CLE): 16 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST; 7/11 FG, 1/2 3PT, 1/1 FT; 2 TO Evan Mobley (CLE): 12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST; 4/7 FG, 3/4 3PT, 1/2 FT; 1 TO Alexandre Sarr (WAS): 13 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL; 5/7 FG, 1/2 3PT, 2/3 FT; 1 TO
Standings Impact
The supplied season profiles list Cleveland at 2-1 (2-0 at home) and Washington at 2-2 (1-1 on the road). The power index ranks the Cavaliers 13th at 51.6 and the Wizards 16th at 49.9.
DYMA Insight
Cleveland’s answer was a second-half turnaround: after allowing 69 points before halftime, the Cavaliers gave up just 42 after the break. That 20-point margin erased Washington’s 10-point lead and decided the game.