Sam Merrill stepping into role as Cavs' marksman

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls him a "weapon." Not much was expected out of shooting guard Sam Merrill this season. However, the Utah State product has evolved into a crucial piece in Cleveland's offense. He has a a quick release and good range on his 3-point shots. On Monday during the Cavs' 126-99 victory over the Orlando Magic — Cleveland's eighth in a row — he was sensational with a game-high 26 points. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder was 8-for-13 from behind the arc. "He is such a weapon," Bickerstaff said after Monday's game. "Defenses have difficult decisions to make. He's not just a standstill guy. You never know where you're going to find Sam. "But if (defenses) want to over rotate, like (Orlando did), (we) threw him the ball in the corner time and time again and he was just there to bang out threes." Bickerstaff estimates that at least three defensive players keep a close eye on Merrill on every play. "He takes at least six eyes," he said. "When he's moving and screens are being set for him, defenses shift to him. Either he gets the shot or someone else is playing advantage basketball. Guys that are extremely talented offensively." Merrill made his first five 3-pointers and had a career-high 20 of his 26 points in the first half. Just to make sure he was human, he missed one from long range with 1:56 left in the second quarter. In all, the Cavs were 20-for-38 from 3-point range (.530). Merrill's eight 3-pointers in the game tied his career high. He has 10 or more points in eight of his last nine games since Jan. 1. Since the start of the new year, he is averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 25.5 minutes. He's shooting .424 from behind the arc in (36-for-85), the second most by a bench player in the NBA (Detroit's Alec Burks, 42). Merrill is averaging 8.8 points and ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference at .431 from long distance. Brooklyn's Lonnie Walker IV is first at .475, followed by Milwaukee's Malik Beasley at .469 and Indiana's Aaron Nesmith at .465. One can be sure Merrill will be a marked man at 8 tonight when the Cavs face Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum. Cleveland destroyed the Bucks 135-95 Jan. 17 when the latter played without forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cavs (26-15) have won 13 of their last 16 games. They trail Milwaukee (30-13) by three games in the Central Division. Merrill played 30 games for the Bucks in 2020-21 when they captured their last NBA title. What will be interesting is how Bickerstaff handles his rotation once point guard Darius Garland returns from a fractured jaw. It might not be wise to limit Merrill's minutes, especially since he's on such a tear. "We're fortunate we have guys that are versatile and guys that can defend multiple positions," Bickerstaff said. "It comes down to matchups for us. We're not opposed to playing Sam and having him guard bigger guys. We can play four smalls around one of our bigs. Guys earn minutes. It's not going to be easy, obviously. I'd rather have these problems." Playing in front The Cavs have trailed for just 35 seconds over their last five games and have recorded three wire-to-wire wins in a row. During their winning streak, the Cavs are outscoring their opponents 121.0-98.5 (plus-22.5) and have allowed under 100 points in five of their last seven games, including four in a row. The Cavs rank second in the NBA this season in opponent PPG (109.7). Long time A win against Milwaukee would mark the Cavs' longest winning streak since Nov.11-Dec. 6, 2017 (13 in row). Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.