CLEVELAND — Still not at full strength, the Cavaliers flexed on one of the NBA’s hottest teams.
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points and 12 assists and Jarrett Allen extended his double-double streak to 15 straight games as Cleveland welcomed back Evan Mobley with a 118-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Isaac Okoro added 17 points — all in the first half — as the Cavs held off a late comeback and ended L.A.’s winning streak at five. They also handed the Clippers just their fifth loss in 27 games since Dec. 2.
Cleveland, meanwhile, is 10-1 since Jan. 3 and the Cavs aren’t quite whole.
Allen finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, extending his franchise record for consecutive games with double digits in points and boards. The Cavs needed Allen to step up his game while Mobley was out with a knee injury, and the affable center has done that and more over the past month.
The Cavs went 14-4 without Mobley and point guard Darius Garland, who could be back from a broken jaw in a few days.
“It’s a testament to our team,” Allen said. “It’s a testament to (coach) J.B. (Bickerstaff) and the organization. We got guys who are willing to sacrifice.”
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Ron Schwane
Kawhi Leonard scored 30 and Norman Powell 18 for the Clippers, who got within four in the final two minutes but fell to 2-1 on a season-long seven-game road trip.
Paul George, who has been slowed by a sore groin, scored 13 on 3 of 11 shooting for Los Angeles before fouling out with 3:07 left. James Harden finished with 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
“It was a great team win for them,” Leonard said. “Starting with Donovan, they did a great job all night. We’ve just got to keep shooting with confidence because we know the shots are going to start going in. We are getting the looks we…
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