Mavericks Outlast Cavaliers in High-Scoring Showdown
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 3:30 PM ET · Rocket Arena
Dallas Mavericks 130, Cleveland Cavaliers 120, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers?
Dallas Mavericks beat Cleveland Cavaliers 130-120 at Rocket Arena on March 15, 2026.
Who was favored in Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers?
Cleveland Cavaliers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1200 (about 92% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at Rocket Arena, the Dallas Mavericks edged out the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 130-120. This victory marked a significant moment for the Mavericks, who have struggled throughout the season with a record of 23-45, compared to the Cavaliers' strong 41-27 standing. The win also tied the season series at 1-1, showcasing the competitive spirit between these two teams.
The Cavaliers entered the game with a mixed recent form, having a record of 5-5 in their last ten games. They averaged 114.9 points scored while allowing 110.9 points during this stretch. Their most recent game prior to this matchup was a commanding 138-105 victory over the Mavericks just two days earlier. In contrast, the Mavericks have been on a downward trend, winning only 1 of their last 10 games, with an average of 104.6 points scored and a staggering 120.2 points allowed. Their last win came against the Memphis Grizzlies, but they fell short against the Cavaliers in their previous encounter.
At home, the Cavaliers have a strong record of 3-1 in their last four games, while the Mavericks have struggled on the road, with a 1-5 record in their last six away games. This disparity in home and away performance has been a significant factor in their respective standings. The Cavaliers have shown resilience at home, scoring an average of 117.2 points while allowing 110.4 in their last five games, whereas the Mavericks have struggled, averaging only 105.8 points and allowing 123.2.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Cavaliers have dominated the recent series, winning all three encounters this season, including two decisive victories earlier in the year. The Mavericks' only recent win against the Cavaliers came in a close game, but they have been outscored significantly in the last two meetings.
Injuries have also played a role in the Mavericks' struggles, as they faced challenges with key players. Santi Aldama, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II were all listed as day-to-day with knee and foot issues, impacting their depth and performance on the court. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, did not report significant injuries that would affect their lineup.
The betting market reflected the Cavaliers' strong position, with DraftKings setting the spread at -14.5 in favor of Cleveland. The total for the game was set at 233.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair. With the Cavaliers listed at -1200 for the money line and the Mavericks at +750, it was clear that the odds favored the home team significantly.
The game conditions were typical for a late-season NBA matchup, with both teams looking to solidify their positions as the playoffs approached. Fans were treated to a fast-paced game filled with scoring plays, including key contributions from both teams in the fourth quarter. James Harden made crucial free throws, while Max Christie hit a pivotal three-pointer, showcasing the offensive firepower on both sides.
Viewers should have kept an eye on the performance of Donovan Mitchell, who was instrumental in keeping the Cavaliers competitive, as well as Cooper Flagg, who made several critical shots in the closing moments. The Mavericks' ability to respond to the Cavaliers' scoring runs and their overall defensive adjustments were also key points of interest throughout the game.
Ultimately, the Mavericks' victory not only improved their morale but also provided a much-needed boost as they look to finish the season strong despite their overall struggles. The Cavaliers will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matchup, looking to bounce back from this disappointing loss.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CLE -14.5 | 233.5 o -115 / u -105 | Dallas Mavericks +750 · Cleveland Cavaliers -1200 |
Injury report
- Santi AldamaDay-To-DayKneeDallas Mavericks
- Kyrie IrvingDay-To-DayKneeDallas Mavericks
- Dereck Lively IIDay-To-DayFootDallas Mavericks
Leaders
- PointsDonovan Mitchell26Cleveland Cavaliers
- AssistsDonovan Mitchell11Cleveland Cavaliers
- ReboundsEvan Mobley11Cleveland Cavaliers
- PointsCooper Flagg27Dallas Mavericks
- AssistsCooper Flagg10Dallas Mavericks
- ReboundsP.J. Washington11Dallas Mavericks
Recent form
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W1114.9 scored · 110.9 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W138-105at Dallas MavericksMar 13
- L122-128at Orlando MagicMar 11
- W115-101vs Philadelphia 76ersMar 9
- L98-109vs Boston CelticsMar 8
- W113-109vs Detroit PistonsMar 4
- W106-102at Brooklyn NetsMar 1
- L119-122at Detroit PistonsFeb 28
- L116-118at Milwaukee BucksFeb 26
- W109-94vs New York KnicksFeb 25
- L113-121at Oklahoma City ThunderFeb 22
Dallas Mavericks
Last 10: 1-9Streak L1104.6 scored · 120.2 allowed per game1-5 away
- L105-138vs Cleveland CavaliersMar 13
- W120-112at Memphis GrizzliesMar 13
- L112-124at Atlanta HawksMar 10
- L92-122at Toronto RaptorsMar 8
- L100-120at Boston CelticsMar 7
- L114-115at Orlando MagicMar 6
- L90-117at Charlotte HornetsMar 4
- L87-100vs Oklahoma City ThunderMar 2
- L105-124vs Memphis GrizzliesFeb 28
- L121-130vs Sacramento KingsFeb 27
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | - | 20 | L1 | .756 | 62 |
| Houston | 10 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| New Orleans | 36 | 56 | L2 | .317 | 26 |
| Dallas | 36 | 56 | W1 | .317 | 26 |
| Memphis | 37 | 57 | L8 | .305 | 25 |
| Detroit | - | 22 | W3 | .732 | 60 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| Milwaukee | 28 | 50 | L1 | .390 | 32 |
| Chicago | 29 | 51 | L2 | .378 | 31 |
| Indiana | 41 | 63 | L2 | .232 | 19 |
Box score
| Stat | Dallas Mavericks | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 46-87 | 45-88 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 15-30 | 16-41 |
| Three-point % | 50 | 39 |
| Free throws | 23-27 | 14-21 |
| Free throw % | 85 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 35 | 28 |
| Assists | 35 | 32 |
| Steals | 13 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 16 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 25 |
| Fast-break points | 24 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 52 | 54 |
| Fouls | 21 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 21 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 11 | 11 |
| Time in front | 87 | 5 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter96-83John Poulakidas makes 17-foot step back jumpshot (Brandon Williams assists)
- 3rd Quarter98-83Brandon Williams makes 1-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter98-86Thomas Bryant makes 22-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 3rd Quarter99-86Brandon Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter100-86Brandon Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter100-88Dennis Schroder makes two point shot (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter102-88P.J. Washington makes 7-foot two point shot (Cooper Flagg assists)
- 4th Quarter102-90Dennis Schroder makes driving layup (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter104-90Cooper Flagg makes driving layup (P.J. Washington assists)
- 4th Quarter105-90Cooper Flagg makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter107-90Cooper Flagg makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Ryan Nembhard assists)
- 4th Quarter110-90Ryan Nembhard makes 22-foot running jump shot (Cooper Flagg assists)
- 4th Quarter111-90P.J. Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter111-93Max Strus makes 23-foot three point jumper (Evan Mobley assists)
- 4th Quarter111-96Max Strus makes 22-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter113-96Cooper Flagg makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot
- 4th Quarter113-98Max Strus makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter114-98Cooper Flagg makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter115-98Cooper Flagg makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter115-101James Harden makes 24-foot three point jumper (Keon Ellis assists)
- 4th Quarter117-101Brandon Williams makes 8-foot driving floating jump shot (Cooper Flagg assists)
- 4th Quarter119-101Naji Marshall makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter120-101Naji Marshall makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter120-103Donovan Mitchell makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot (James Harden assists)
- 4th Quarter120-105James Harden makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter120-106James Harden makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter122-106Brandon Williams makes 1-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter122-108Donovan Mitchell makes 1-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter122-111Keon Ellis makes 23-foot running jump shot (Evan Mobley assists)
- 4th Quarter124-111Max Christie makes alley oop dunk (Brandon Williams assists)
- 4th Quarter124-112James Harden makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter124-113James Harden makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter124-114James Harden makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter127-114Max Christie makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cooper Flagg assists)
- 4th Quarter127-115Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter127-116Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter127-118Evan Mobley makes alley oop dunk (Donovan Mitchell assists)
- 4th Quarter129-118Cooper Flagg makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot
- 4th Quarter130-118Cooper Flagg makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter130-120Donovan Mitchell makes 1-foot two point shot (James Harden assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Cleveland Cavaliers, below favours Dallas Mavericks.
Venue
- Rocket ArenaCleveland, OH
- Attendance19432
- OfficialsBrian Forte, Tyler Ford, Jenna Schroeder
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