Cavaliers defeat Pelicans 131-122
Donovan Mitchell close out the Pelicans in the fourth quarter as the Cavs improve to 9-0.
It appeared for the first half that the Cleveland Cavaliers would fall victim to the alleged trap game. The New Orleans Pelicans came into this game banged up missing key players and Zion Williamson came into the contest less than 100%. Still, the Pelicans were playing frisky and hanging with the Cavaliers through two quarters.
It took until the Cavaliers broke the game open with an emphatic 40-point third quarter to show the talent disparity. The Cavs could do no wrong in the third, they were generating quality looks, getting stops, and creating massive momentum swings. The effort was largely led by Jarrett Allen’s intensity on the defensive end. Allen delivered two massive blocks that swung the momentum to the Cavaliers and were key in building the disparaging 40-29 point discrepancy. Allen finished the game with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Cavaliers put on an even performance as a team. They had 6 players scoring 10+ points and it felt like anyone could pick up the offense on any given possession. The ball was flying around the floor and in the second half the ball never really stalled. It felt like the team was playing as one cohesive unit and all were playing selflessly within Atkinson’s offense.
The bench was instrumental in several stretches during the game. Ty Jerome picked up the offense in the second quarter. Jerome scored all 11 of his points in the second quarter and they were instrumental as the Cavs were digging themselves out of an early 11-point deficit in the first quarter. Caris LeVert (16 points), George Niang (9 points), and Sam Merrill (9 points) all hit key shots and were key figures in the resilient effort from the Cavaliers.
Darius Garland (14 points and 9 assists), and Evan Mobley (15 points and 9 rebounds) were not the stars of the night but were still bringing an offensive presence to the team. Garland came out hot, knocking down early off-ball threes. Garland lately has been playing freer in the Atkinson offense, providing great contributions slipping around screens for quality looks and looking like the fun is back. Mobley also had a decent night, while defensively struggling at times, had a good offensive game. Mobley showed flashes of break starting, mini hub intangibles. These, while not necessary in this game, are instrumental for him to work through as the season progresses.
In the fourth quarter, it was Donovan Mitchell’s time to close the door on the clawing Pelicans. With every little run the Pelicans could muster was met by Donovan Mitchell. He matched their production with timely baskets. Whether a transition three or him euro-hopping to the basket for a floater, he was an assassin. Mitchell has a knack for being the closer for the Cavaliers this season and the team has turned to him during this opening 9-0 start to the season. He finished with 24 points, on 9 for 19 shooting.
The Cavaliers’ next game is Friday, Nov. 8th, in Cleveland against the Golden State Warriors.