Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks Final Score: Mavs Sneak Past Cavs, 103-95

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now 2-7. They dropped their fifth straight game on Saturday night when they lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 103-95.

The Cavs managed to keep it close for much of the game and then battled back and tied it with just about four minutes to play. The veteran Mavs responded with seven unanswered points and put away the game. Kyrie Irving led the team with 26 points.

Irving left the game briefly when he banged his hand on defense and went to the locker room to have x-rays. The x-rays on his left index finger were negative and he eventually returned.

Dion Waiters struggled with his shot, but still managed to score a relatively efficient 16 points on 16 shots, thanks to his ability to get to the free throw line. The jumpers aren't falling at the rate that they were in the beginning of the year, but he's attacking more and starting to get foul calls. That's a good sign and positive development.

Anderson Varejao struggled mightily, scoring on just 2 of his 11 shot attempts and hauling in fewer than 10 rebounds for just the third time this year.

Tristan Thompson had some ugly sequences but seemed to balance those out with some aggressive putback dunks. The result was a double-double, 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Tyler Zeller wasn't much of a factor on offense in his first game back. But he did take a few charges on defense which leads me to believe he isn't worrying too much about the mask and his injury.

Daniel Gibson was once again the only real offensive threat off the bench, pouring in 16 points.

Jeremy Pargo got some backup point guard minutes and looked better than Donald Sloan has all season.

The Dallas Mavericks shot 51.4% from the field compared to the Cavs' 37.5%. The defense wasn't horrible though, considering they were able to force 20 turnovers. That said, the defense still has a long way to go.

The Cavaliers play again tomorrow at 6 PM when they travel (AGAIN???) to Philadelphia to play the Sixers. Get your Dallas Mavericks coverage at Mavs Moneyball.