Cavaliers score 83 points in first half, blow out Warriors, improve to 10-0

CLEVELAND — It was a first half for the ages. The Cavaliers ran their record to 10-0 with a 136-117 destruction of the Golden State Warriors on Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland's torrid shooting was on full display in the first half, as it stormed to an 83-42 lead, tying a franchise record for points in a half. The Cavs also scored 83 points in the second half against Chicago on Jan. 2, 2023. That game is best remembered for Donovan Mitchell's franchise-record 71-point explosion. "The way we started the game was tremendous," guard Ty Jerome said. "Those first 10 minutes set the tone for the rest of the game." Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, who spent the previous three years in Golden State as Steve Kerr's lead assistant, was disappointed with the way his team played in the second half. The Warriors (7-2) outscored Cleveland 75-53 in the second half. "It got a little dicey there," Atkinson said. He brought point guard Darius Garland back into the game, which settled down the team. "We got him in the game and he closed the door," Atkinson said. "What a season (he's having). He was defending Steph (Curry). He's doing it on both ends." For the game, the Cavs made 20 of 41 attempts from 3-point range. Garland continued his fine play with a game-high 27 points and six assists and connected on six of 10 from long distance. "He should be an All-Star starter with the way he's playing right now," Jerome said. To illustrate how lopsided the game was, Cleveland topped the 100-point plateau with 5:30 remaining in the third quarter. It led 112-83 after three quarters. Power forward Evan Mobley contributed 23 points for the Cavs, who had six players reach double figures in scoring. "He's a new hybrid big," Atkinson said. "What a versatile player he is. He was going against Draymond (Green) and (Kevon) Looney, two elite defenders." Jerome scored a season-high 20 points, while center Jarrett Allen had 13 points and 12 rebounds. "Even in the second half when we were struggling, (Jerome) settled us down," Atkinson said. "I like how aggressive he is with his shot. He had that mentality since coming into the gym in August." Jerome had 13 points in the second quarter. "I tried to take what the defense gave me," he said. "I didn't get out of my comfort zone." The Cavs' 41-point lead at halftime was mind-boggling, especially since the Warriors came into the game riding a five-game winning streak. Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga had a team-high 21 points. Two holdovers from the Warriors' NBA championship teams — Curry and Green — combined for just 18 points. The Cavs came into the game leading the NBA in points (123.2) and field goal percentage (.526) and were second in 3-point percentage (.421) and 3-pointers made (138). Strus progressing Atkinson said swingman Max Strus' rehabilitation from a sprained ankle is going fine. He's still two or three weeks away from returning to the court. He hasn't played in a game this season. Atkinson wouldn't commit to Strus moving back into the starting lineup at small forward when he returns. Isaac Okoro started at small forward against Golden State. He said it would depend on how Strus is doing and if he's on a minute restriction. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.