This is what we call overriding the current dynamics. Yet in poor form (three defeats in four games), the Cavs won on the floor of the Pelicans who remained on four victories in a row (against teams from the East elsewhere).
A great success marked by the return to play of Donovan Mitchell, absent for seven games due to his knee, and the big exit of Darius Garland (27 points and 11 assists). The first, very difficult to finish at the circle, had started his evening well by converting his team's first two long-range attempts, thus opening what would be the theme of the evening.
The locals were quickly taken by surprise by the exterior address and the rhythm set by the visitors. Trailing by 17 points in half of the second quarter (33-50), the NOLA men also had difficulty locking down their racket in the face of the mobility of Jarrett Allen (17 points and 10 rebounds) and the opportunism of Damian Jones, author of his best outing of the year (14 points).
CJ McCollum misses himself
So much so that after the break (45-53), Willie Green preferred to start again with Larry Nance Jr. rather than Jonas Valanciunas. His team will thus remain in contact for a good part of the quarter before cracking in the face of the transition play opposite. With an elusive Darius Garland and a Sam Merrill transformed into an automatic machine from afar.
The visitors finished the period with an 18-4 from which the Pelicans did not recover, despite numerous circle attacks from Zion Williamson (33 points), who did not take a shot outside the racket, or the game on the outskirts of Brandon Ingram (20 points). Two men who would undoubtedly have appreciated a little more support from CJ McCollum (8 points at 3/10).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The 3-point split. Cleveland has regularly reached the milestone of 20 winning baskets in recent weeks. Like this night when four of the five players who sanctioned from a distance did so four times: Darius Garland (6), Sam Merrill (5), Donovan Mitchell and Georges Niang (4). Quite the opposite of the Pelicans who had never been so clumsy (4/22) this season. Among the starters, only Jonas Valanciunas converted behind the arc, a shame. This gap was too difficult to overcome for the Pelicans whose opponents only experienced… three passes at the free throw line!
– The fluidity of the Cavs attack. Converting as many 3-point baskets leads to good ball circulation. This was clearly there for the Ohio players who seemed as comfortable on placed play as on fast phases. With 47 baskets converted on the basis of 38 assists, their record this season. “ This is how we're supposed to play. Turn the ball, make stops in defense. It was just fun to watch and be a part of. We really rose to the occasion against a great team. It was superb “, enthuses Mitchell.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
