Cavs vs. Mavericks: Preview, odds, injury report, TV

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavs are set to host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night for a one-game homestand before returning to the road.

Kyrie Irving is returning to Cleveland for the first time since 2022 when he was a part of the Brooklyn Nets. Now teamed up with Luka Doncic, the tandem is starting to find their groove together and is putting the league on notice. The Mavericks have won seven of their last eight contests and are currently sitting in the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but there’s only half a game separating them from the fifth-seeded Sacramento Kings.

While the Cavs are continuing to regather their rhythm after dropping two of their last three games, they still hold the best record in the NBA (19-5) since the beginning of the New Year.

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Donovan Mitchell has recently been battling an illness after the All-Star break that saw him lose significant weight and feel unlike himself. Mitchell posted under 20 points for just the fifth time this season in the Cavs’ most recent win over the Wizards on Sunday. But even his role as a decoy was significant in the close victory over struggling Washington.

The last time the Cavs and Mavericks faced off, both Irving and Mitchell weren’t available for their squads due to injuries, but the Cavs were able to pull off a 20-point comeback in Dallas after the holidays in December.

Now, with both teams near full strength, all eyes will be on how the Cavs attempt to slow down Irving and Doncic, who had 39 points in their last meeting, while creating offense of their own through their bigs and if Mitchell can muster the strength to put on an offensive clinic.

Here’s what to know about the matchup:

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (37-19) vs. Dallas Mavericks (33-24).

Series: Second meeting this season.

Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

When: 7:00 p.m. EDT.

The point spread: Cavs minus-4.5; O/U 233.5

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Injury report

Cavs: Ty Jerome (right ankle surgery), OUT; Tristan Thompson (suspension), OUT.

Mavericks: Dante Exum (knee), DOUBTFUL; Dereck Lively II (nose), PROBABLE; Maxi Kleber (nose), PROBABLE; Josh Green (elbow), PROBABLE; Luka Doncic (nose), PROBABLE.