02/11/26 08:37:00
Printable Page
02/11 20:35 CST Sam Merrill scores 32 as Cavaliers beat Wizards 138-113 in
James Harden's home debut
Sam Merrill scores 32 as Cavaliers beat Wizards 138-113 in James Harden's home
debut
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Sam Merrill scored a career-high 32, Donovan Mitchell added
30, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 138-113 victory over the Washington
Wizards in James Harden's first home game wearing wine and gold.
Harden had 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes for his second double-double
in three games since being traded by the LA Clippers to the Cavaliers on Feb.
4. He was only 1 of 4 from the field, but went 10 of 12 from the foul line.
Cleveland has won five straight and 10 of its last 11. It was the fifth time
this season the Cavaliers haven't trailed in a game.
Mitchell, fifth in the league in scoring at 29.0 points per game, had his 28th
30-point game. Jarrett Allen had 21 points and nine rebounds.
Kyshawn George had 17 points and Jamir Watkins 16 for Washington, which has
dropped three straight and four of five.
The Cavs have won 15 straight games over the Wizards since 2022, the
second-longest run against a team in franchise history.
Merrill had 26 points in the first half, making all nine of his shots from the
field, including seven 3-pointers. It was the third time in franchise history a
player had been perfect when making nine or more shot attempts in the first
half.
The sixth-year guard scored 17 in the second quarter, including 12 during a
16-5 run that saw the Cavaliers go up 74-55 with 2:06 remaining. He finished 11
of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 on 3-pointers.
Cleveland led 76-61 at halftime but Washington started the second half with a
12-2 run to get within five. The Wizards would not draw closer though and the
Cavaliers steadily pulled away, taking a 108-89 lead going into the fourth
quarter.
Up next
Wizards: Host Indiana on Feb. 19.
Cavaliers: Host Brooklyn on Feb. 19.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
|
