NBA roundup: Max Strus nets monster buzzer-beater as Cavaliers sink Mavericks

Max Strus hit an incredible 58-foot buzzer-beater while the Cleveland Cavaliers orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 121-119 on Tuesday.

In a dramatic conclusion in Cleveland, Strus unleashed a colossal shot from beyond half-court to secure a victory for his team against Dallas. Despite trailing by 10 points with less than four minutes remaining, Cleveland staged an impressive comeback in the fourth quarter, fueled by Strus's exceptional performance.

He hit four consecutive three-pointers, bringing Cleveland within one point at 113-112 with 2 minutes and 35 seconds left on the clock. Donovan Mitchell's back-to-back three-pointers then gave Cleveland a 118-115 lead, but Dallas quickly responded with a Kyrie Irving jump shot and a P.J.

Washington layup to regain a one-point advantage. It was in this intense moment that Strus delivered his game-winning shot from three-quarters of the court, igniting jubilation among the home crowd in Cleveland.

Strus expressed his excitement after the game, acknowledging the significance of the win for a struggling Cleveland team. He emphasized the team's determination to win every game and continue their winning streak.

Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff commended Strus for his pivotal role in inspiring the late rally, highlighting his relentless and determined approach to the game, which motivates his teammates. Mitchell led the scoring for Cleveland with 31 points, while Strus contributed 21 points.

Jarrett Allen added 19 points, securing the victory for the Cavaliers and placing them second in the Eastern Conference with a 38-19 record. On the other side, Luka Doncic led Dallas's scoring with an impressive 45 points, along with 14 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals. Kyrie Irving finished with 30 points as Dallas fell to eighth place in the Western Conference with a 33-25 record.

On Tuesday, the Boston Celtics, who are currently leading the league, extended their winning streak to nine games with a 117-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Leading the way for Boston were Jaylen Brown with 31 points, Jayson Tatum with 29 points, and Kristaps Porzingis with 23 points. With this win, the Celtics improved their record to 46-12 and now hold a 7.5 game lead over the second-placed Cleveland Cavaliers.

For Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey had an impressive performance with 32 points. However, the team has struggled in the absence of NBA MVP Joel Embiid, losing eight out of their last 12 games.

Although Philadelphia managed to narrow the gap to just two points early in the fourth quarter, Boston responded with a dominant 15-0 run to secure the victory.

Tatum emphasized the importance of the Celtics' response, stating, "It's all about how you respond. We're learning from our mistakes from last year and we've been doing a great job of practicing those situations."

In another game, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 114-105 win against the struggling San Antonio Spurs, with Anthony Edwards leading the way with 34 points. The Timberwolves currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference standings with a record of 41-17.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Charlotte Hornets with a 123-85 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 24 points, while Damian Lillard added 23 points to the Bucks' impressive performance. Coach Doc Rivers was pleased with the team's improved defense, an area that has been problematic throughout the season.

In addition, Chris Paul made a successful return from injury for the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Washington Wizards 123-112. Klay Thompson also had a standout performance off the bench, scoring 25 points to lead the Warriors' offense.