Cleveland top Nets 115-109, Mitchell nets 31 points

Donovan Mitchell nets 31 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers took control in the second quarter, pulled away in the third and hold on to their lead for a 115-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night in New York.

The Cavaliers (46-28) won their eight game in 11 by outscoring the Nets 71-48 in the second and third periods. Cleveland moved 3 1/2 games ahead of the New York Knicks, who sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Mitchell, who was held to 15 points in the first meeting with the Nets, on Dec. 26 in Cleveland, made 10 of 22 shots, including five of Cleveland’s 14 3-poInters.

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Former Net Caris LeVert added 18 points, while Darius Garland and Evan Mobley contributed 17 apiece.