By starting the second half with a 21-0 surge, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured an impressive 118-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, extending their winning streak to eight games on Thursday in New York.

Cleveland showed no mercy throughout the game, leading by as much as 31 points in the second half. This victory marks their 16th win in the last 17 games.

In his return to his home state, Donovan Mitchell set the pace right from the start. He scored 10 out of his team-leading 27 points in the opening four minutes of the game, aiding the Cavaliers in quickly establishing a double-digit lead.

He also concluded the game with five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Darius Garland contributed 14 points and seven assists for Cleveland. Evan Mobley achieved 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Georges Niang provided 13 points coming off the bench.

The Cavaliers collectively shot 43-for-80 (53.8 percent) from the field and 15-for-37 (40.5 percent) from beyond the arc. They were flawless from the free-throw line, going 17-for-17.

After a slow start, Brooklyn managed to narrow the gap to as little as five points in the second quarter, but the Cavaliers maintained a 59-51 lead going into halftime.

With the departure of Royce O’Neale and Spencer Dinwiddie in trades earlier on Thursday, the Nets were left with only nine active players. Newly acquired Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, and Dennis Schroeder were not yet eligible to play for Brooklyn.

Cameron Johnson (abductor), Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring), and Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) remained sidelined for the Nets due to injuries.

Mikal Bridges led the undermanned Nets with 26 points and five 3-pointers. Cam Thomas contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, while Trendon Watford finished with 15 points and six rebounds coming off the bench.

Brooklyn shot 37-for-93 (39.8 percent) overall and 10-for-25 (40.0 percent) from beyond the arc. They made 11 of 14 free-throw attempts.