The Cavaliers play the Suns on New Year’s Eve

The Cavaliers managed to win a more complicated matchup than expected against Phoenix at home in late 2025. After quickly building a 20-point lead, Cleveland had to try not to be surprised at the end of the match and could count on the great Donovan Mitchell to come out without fear.

After an ordinary start, Cleveland quickly warmed up for takeoff. The streak lasted three minutes, during which the Cavs swept everything in their path, going on a 16-0 run with 3-pointers by Darius Garland, two by Sam Merrill and two by Dean Wade to spark a 21-8 run. The deficit closed to 20 points when Evan Mobley tied a block and then two dunks, before seeing Donovan Mitchell finish the counterattack with an acrobatic 2+1 (37-18).

Even at -20 at the start of the second quarter, after two baskets by Jarrett Allen, Phoenix did not give up, getting back to -10 just before the break thanks to relays from Gillespie-Buye, Devin Booker, then Dillon Brooks, until Donovan Mitchell offered another basket from foul-746 (two seconds from foul-56).

Gillespie keeps suspense alive

From long range, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell quickly pushed the Suns back nearly twenty lengths (75-56). Colin Gillespie and Devin Booker then responded from long range, twice, to restart the match. In an instant, on two services by Colin Gillespie for Royce O’Neill and Devin Booker, Phoenix was back in the game (79-74)! Once again, two shots from Ryan Dunn and Colin Gillespie allowed the Suns to keep their hopes alive until the edge of the fourth quarter (91-89).

Despite the pressure, Cleveland was able to pull itself together to fly to victory and can thank Donovan Mitchell for the help. The All-Star guard pulled out all the stops, between his two serves to Jarrett Allen and Jaylon Tyson, then his sharp offense near the circle, at mid-range, and then on a 3-pointer, to bring Phoenix back to their studies (110-94) in less than four minutes. Darius Garland’s 2+1 and Jaylon Tyson’s dunk sealed the last hopes of Devin Booker and his gang (115-94).

Winner of the Spurs, then the Suns, the Cavs end 2025 on a high note and will look to start 2026 the same way tomorrow night against the Nuggets.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Donovan Mitchell’s character. The Cavs point guard obviously wanted to finish the year off strong and put in a great performance to help his team win. The author of 21 points at the break in just 16 minutes on the field, he stood out above all with a great start to the fourth quarter and erased the Suns’ threatening comeback. In a few minutes, he ended the uncertainty to ensure the success of his team without panic, finishing with 30 points or more for the 18th time this season (34 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists).

A Suns meltdown at the worst possible time. Chasing a result, Jordan Ott’s men wore down and broke down at the worst possible time. Down by two lengths with less than a minute left in the third quarter (91-89), Phoenix eventually imploded, going on a 14-3 run in less than four minutes to find themselves at -13 (105-92). The black hole that robbed the Arizona franchise of the end of a high-stakes game. It’s also the end of the streak to end 2025 as the Suns had won four in a row before this trip to Ohio.

https://www.youtube.com/vatch?v=ca-NPM4GN0A

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.