*** Donovan Mitchell returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence and the Cavaliers once again looked like the team that won 18 of 20 before the All-Star Break — scoring 20 three-pointers, dishing out 38 assists decisive and blowing up the score. Wide-open contest in the third quarter en route to the lopsided 116-95 decision against the red-hot Pelicans Wednesday night in New Orleans. Darius Garland led Cleveland again with 27 points, Jarrett Allen notched another double-double as Wine & Gold ended a two-game skid to begin their three-game roadie.
*** Still short two starters – Evan Mobley and Max Strus – the Cavaliers welcomed Donovan Mitchell to the lineup on Wednesday. Mitchell, who had missed nine of the Cavs’ 12 games since the All-Star Break, finished with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-9 from deep to go with five assists and four rebounds.
*** Mitchell talked about setting the tone early Wednesday night. “Specifically, I’m just trying to come in and say, ‘Look, this is who we are. “I mean from the jump – without going into the game. Obviously we had lost two games in a row and we felt this sense of urgency and were just trying to get back together when we were fully healthy.
***In Wednesday’s win, the Cavs finished with a season-high 38 assists – all 23rd times this year, they have handed out at least 30 dimes this year. It was also the first time in Cavaliers history that three players – Darius Garland (11), Caris LeVert (9) and Sam Merrill (9) – finished with at least nine assists and the first time in history of the team that two reservists distributed nine. assistants each.
*** For the third time in his last four outings, Darius Garland set the tone for the Cavaliers – finishing with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-10 from deep, leading both teams with 11 assists with a pair of steals and a block. Since the All-Star Break, no player has been more deadly from beyond the arc than Darius Garland, who has now made 53 three-pointers since February 22, followed by Luka Doncic (46) and Donte DiVincenzo (43). During this period, the 5thThe year-old from Vandy is shooting 47 percent from deep.
*** Garland, on his recent long-distance run. “I just see a few come in (and my) teammates feed me. I’m trying to get down and I’m just getting open shots and I’m just letting it roll – and they’re falling. I’m just trying to get my rhythm back, trying to get back into the rhythm. (My teammates) keep telling me to shoot it every time I’m open. So that’s all I do.
***The Cavaliers also made history by recording their first franchise victory by attempting three or fewer free throws. As of Wednesday, Cleveland was just 2 of 3 overall. The Cavs didn’t attempt a single free throw until Darius Garland converted an and-1 with 9:00 left in the fourth quarter.
***Wednesday marked the ninth time this season that the Cavaliers made at least 20 threes — a franchise single-season record — going 20 for 45 overall, with four players hitting at least four threes. For good measure, Cleveland also scored 52 points in the paint.
*** Almost lost on Wednesday, Jarrett Allen displayed his 33rd double-double of the season – a career high – finishing with 17 points, a game-high 10 rebounds and two blocks.
***Damian Jones scored in double figures for the first time as a Cavalier in Wednesday’s win – going 7 of 8 from the field for 14 points, adding six rebounds and a steal in 21 minutes work on the bench.
*** Sam Merrill came out of a serious funk Wednesday night, warming up after missing his first two shots from the floor. Overall, Merrill – who had shot 19 of 65 from deep since the All-Star Break, including a 6 of 37 over the last five games – shot 5 of 10 from long range in the victory, finishing with 15 points and a plus-30 in 28 minutes coming off the bench. His nine assists on Wednesday marked a career high.
*** With the win – topping a Pelicans team that had won four straight by an average of 22 points each – Cleveland improved to 20-11 on the road this year, good for second-best mark of the league behind the Celtics. The Cavaliers had lost 11 straight games in the Big Easy before winning the last two. The Cavs have also won 11 of their last 13 meetings against Western Conference opponents.
*** Wednesday marked Georges Niang’s fifth consecutive start, and the fourth time in this streak with a double-digit score. Against New Orleans, Niang – the only Cavalier to play in all 66 games this season – finished with 16 points, going 6 of 12 from the floor, including 4 of 8 from long range. Of his five tenures, the 8thA freshman from Iowa State is averaging 14.6 points per game, shooting 55 percent from the floor and 47 percent from beyond the arc.
*** Coach JB Bickerstaff congratulated his veteran forward after the victory. “I mean, he’s a pro. He understands the game. He understands who he is, he understands where he gets his vaccines and how he gets them. And he just got ready. And again, obviously his minutes have increased, but throughout the season he’s doing a great job. He’s another reliable guy. He’s always available because he takes care of himself, he knows what he needs to do to prepare and he knows how to help this team.
***The Wine & Gold were just as good on the defensive end against New Orleans – limiting them to 18 percent three-point shooting and limiting their starting backcourt of Herb Jones and CJ McCollum to just 11 points combined. Zion Williamson led all scorers with 33 points, but he was one of three Pelicans in double figures.
*** After beating the Pelicans on Wednesday, the Wine & Gold’s three-game series continues, traveling to the Lone Star State for a Saturday night showdown with the Rockets, followed by a Monday night visit to Indy for a meeting with senior leaders. Octane Pacers. The Cavaliers return home for one – hosting Miami at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse next Wednesday – before hitting the road again for a pair.
