Cavaliers roll to win over Pelicans

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are getting their mojo back. They snapped the New Orleans Pelicans' five-game winning streak with a surprisingly easy 141-118 victory Tuesday at Rocket Arena. Cleveland (17-14) had nine players reach double figures in scoring for the second time in franchise history and the first time since Nov. 1, 1992, vs. Washington. The Cavs have won two in a row heading into their rugged three-game road trip that starts in New York on Christmas Day. Six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell paved the way with a game-high 27 points. "That's who we are when we're at full strength," he said. "We've shot it well the last two nights." Cleveland shot .533 from the field and .409 from the 3-point line. It dished out a season-high 40 assists and outrebounded the Pelicans 49-43. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said it was a collaborative decision to start Sam Merrill, who matched his season high with 22 points and added six rebounds, seven assists and one steal. "He's so much more than a shooter," Atkinson said. "Getting another rotation piece back helps us." Merrill's return has improved Cleveland's ball movement and spacing. When he's on the floor, the defense has tough decisions to make. "It opens things up for everyone else," Mitchell said. Point guard Darius Garland played in his first back-to-back set this season and finished with 10 points and eight assists. He was questionable coming into the game with a bruised left quadriceps muscle. "He's a tough dude," Atkinson said. "He's as tough as nails. He was not moving as well as he did (Monday) night. He's always pushing us. He's wanted to play in back-to-backs from the beginning (of the season). This is a milestone for him." The coach said Garland's quad injury was not a smokescreen. The training staff loosened it up for him and he got the green light to play. "He knows what we need out of him," Cavs guard Craig Porter Jr. said. "You can see the joy out there." Porter played 22 sensational minutes for Cleveland with 12 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block. Swingman Jaylon Tyson rebounded from his scoreless game Monday with 18 points and six rebounds, while center Thomas Bryant reached double figures for the third consecutive game with a season-high 15 points and seven rebounds. "Our job is to come into the game and bring energy," Porter said of the reserves. "We know what our roles are. When you put all those players on the floor, it's pick your poison." Forward/center Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans (8-23) with 26 points, while center Derik Queen added 21. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.