Max Strus drilled a 59-footer as time expired to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a wild 121-119 NBA win over the Dallas Mavericks.
After the Mavericks took the lead on PJ Washington's dunk with 2.9 seconds left, the Cavaliers quickly inbounded the ball to Evan Mobley, who passed back to Strus - who had made four three-pointers in a span of 67 seconds down the stretch to keep his side close.
Strus then took a dribble before launching his shot from well beyond mid-court. As it swished through the net, Strus was tackled to the floor by teammates as the home crowd erupted.
Strus said he knew it was good from the moment the ball left his hand.
"The last five [three-pointers] felt pretty good," he said. "I felt a rhythm and every time I shot it, I felt like it was going in, and it was. Same with the last one."
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points, Strus added 21 and Jarrett Allen had 19 for the Cavaliers, who improved to 12-3 since January 26.
Dallas star Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds a day before turning 25. Kyrie Irving added 30.
"It's disappointing," Washington said. "We felt like we should have won that game."
With Doncic making a three-pointer, Dallas reeled off 10 unanswered points to take a 108-98 lead with four minutes 38 seconds left. The Mavericks were still up by double digits when Strus got hot, making four three-pointers in just over a minute to pull the Cavaliers within 113-112.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Max Strus hits the game-winning shot against Luka Doncic as time expires. Teammates celebrate by dousing Strus . AFP
