Cavaliers Can’t Overcome Tough First Half, Fall To Suns

Cleveland was outscored by 25 points in the first half of its 122-101 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their second loss in their last three games with a 122-101 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

The first 24 minutes of the game ultimately proved to decide its outcome.

Cleveland was outscored by 25 points in the first half, as Phoenix entered halftime with a commanding 72-47 lead.

The Wine and Gold scored 20 points in the opening quarter, shooting just 8-for-22 (36.4%) from the field and 2-for-11 (18.2%) from beyond the arc. On the other side, the Suns shot 12-for-22 (54.5%) from the field and 4-for-8 (50%) from deep. 

With 6:44 remaining in the first period, the Cavaliers held a 16-15 advantage. However, Phoenix ended the quarter with a 19-4 run to take a 14-point lead.

Apr 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Gordon (23) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the first half at Footprint Center.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland was once again outscored by a double-digit margin in the second period. Although the team scored 27 points, shooting an efficient 10-for-17 (58.8%) from the field and 2-for-4 (50%) from three-point range, Phoenix had a more powerful quarter from the perimeter. 

The opposition converted eight of its 10 attempts from beyond the arc en route to a 38-point performance.

The Wine and Gold did eventually outscore the Suns 54-50 in the game’s final 24 minutes, as Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 15 second-half points.

“Obviously in the first half, you give up 72 points, it’s hard to come back from,” Cleveland Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. “But I was proud of the guys’ effort in the second half. I thought we competed at a much higher level. To hold them to 50 points versus 72 shows something. We outscored them in the second half, we just didn’t give ourselves a chance in that first half offensively.”