Mavs rookie Ferrell ‘living the dream’ in win over Cavaliers
Three days, two games and 1,500 miles later, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, along with the other members of the defending champion Cavaliers, know a bit more about the Mavericks’ rookie guard from Indiana.
Ferrell scored a personal-high 19 points while helping cool off Irving, and the last-place Mavericks knocked off a title contender for the second straight night in a 104-97 win Monday over the visiting Cavaliers, who were missing forward Kevin Love, who had back spasms.
Ferrell helped limit Irving to 7-for-21 shooting to end a six-game streak of at least 20 points during which the Cavs’ guard averaged 30 points.
“I am living the dream right now,” said Ferrell, a 23-year-old who spent four seasons with the Hoosiers, went undrafted and played 10 games for the Brooklyn Nets before getting waived in December.
Robert Covington had 23 points and 10 rebounds to rally host Philadelphia, which overcame 46 points from Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and won again without center Joel Embiid, who sat out with a left knee contusion.
Goran Dragic scored 20 points, Dion Waiters added 19 and host Miami pushed the NBA’s longest current winning streak to eight games.
Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and forced overtime with a jumper with 10 seconds to play to lead Minnesota to the home win.