NEW ORLEANS — Donovan Mitchell returned from a seven-game absence and the Cleveland Cavaliers stemmed a two-game slide in style and on the road against a tough opponent to beat of late.
Mitchell scored 14 points, Garland of Darius had 27 points and 11 assists, and the Cavaliers combined for 20 3-pointers in a 116-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday evening.
“That’s how we’re supposed to play,” Mitchell said. “Moving the ball, making saves. It was just fun to watch and be a part of.”
“We really faced a great team,” he added. “It was beautiful.”
Mitchell, who made four 3s, was one of four Cavs with at least that many, along with Garland (six) and Sam Merrill (five) and Georges Niang (four). Cleveland finished 20 of 45 from deep, while the Pelicans made just 4 of 22 in losing for the first time in five games.
Center Jarrett Allen totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Cavs, who also rejoiced with their 38 assists on 47 successful baskets.
Zion Williamson had 33 points and nine rebounds for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram scored 20 and Trey Murphy 11. New Orleans outscored Cleveland 56-52 in the paint and 21-2 at the foul line — statistical advantages that were more than negated by the dramatic disparity in 3-point shooting.
“We just weren’t on the 3-point line tonight,” Williamson said. “But when nights like this come, we have to find other ways to be effective.”
The Cavaliers “played with a sense of urgency,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “They were the hungriest team.
“We had a disappointment. So that doesn’t indicate who we were, and the guys know that,” Green added.
The Cavaliers have made at least 20 3s in nine games this season, winning eight.
“If we’re open, we want to take them. It makes our offense stronger because people have to run after us,” Bickerstaff said. “We tried to make 3-point shooting a weapon and I thought we did a great job tonight.”
Mitchell hadn’t played since Feb. 28 because of a bruised left knee. He said his knee feels better than expected, but he still needs to regain confidence in its stability before it returns to its original state.
His point total was only half of his season average of 28 per game, but his return was a big boost for the Cavs.
“He gets so many people on the offensive end for us. You really have to stock up on him,” Garland said. “You have to respect what he does and open up a lot of things to everyone.”
Cleveland was opportunistic inside but didn’t look to stress the Pelicans defensively inside for much of the game. The Cavs didn’t attempt their first free throw until Garland scored after a foul with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“It shows how well we played in other facets of the game,” Mitchell said.
When Merrill made his final 3 of the game on Cleveland’s next possession to give the Cavs a 100-74 lead, the fans began to gather.
Niang scored 16 points and Merrill 15. Cleveland reserve center Damien Joneswho grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had one of his best games this season, scoring a game-high 14 points.
