Harden scores 23 in debut as Cavaliers hold off the Sacramento Kings for a 132-126 victory

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Harden scored 23 points in his Cavaliers debut and Donovan Mitchell had 35, including a free throw that sealed the win with 35 seconds remaining, in Cleveland's 132-126 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night that sent the Kings to their 12th straight loss. Harden was acquired by Cleveland from the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday for Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick. He shot 7-for-13, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range, and had eight assists. Jarrett Allen had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won for the eighth time in nine games. He shot 11-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line, and his 29 points was his third-best total of the season and came less than a week after scoring 40 during a road game against the Portland Trailblazers. Allen has three double-doubles in his last three games. Rookie Nique Clifford scored a career-high 30 points to lead Sacramento, which hasn't won since beating Washington at home Jan. 16. Russell Westbrook added 21 points and nine assists for the Kings. The Cavaliers went into halftime leading 57-55, but the Kings took the lead in the third quarter at 96-93. Mitchell scored 29 points of his points in the second half for the Cavaliers, and Mitchell and Harden combined to score Cleveland's final 16 points in the Cavaliers' 18-5 game-ending run. The duo went 8-for-8 from the free throw line over the last 1:46 of the game. There were 17 lead changes between the second and fourth quarters as Sacramento desperately tried to end its six-game home losing streak. The Kings stayed in the game thanks to 16-of-37 shooting behind the 3-point arc, including 5-of-9 from Clifford, whose previous scoring high was 18. Seven Sacramento players finished in double figures, including Devin Carter with 18 points and reserve Dylan Cardwell, who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Up next Cavaliers: At Denver on Monday night. Kings: At New Orleans on Monday night.