Game ID: 22400252
New Orleans Pelicans @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
CLE 29 40 36 23 128NOP 24 31 18 27 100
CLE vs NOP ScoutingCLE vs NOP Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
CLE availability going into 11/13 · 1 day's restBACK LeVert back 11/06 after 2, 26 min since (110% of 24)
BACK Wade back 11/08 after 2, 18 min since (89% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/15 · 1 day's restBACK LeVert back 11/06 after 2, 26 min since (109% of 24)
BACK Wade back 11/08 after 2, 19 min since (91% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/17 · 1 day's restOUT Merrill missed 2 since 11/13, out tonight
BACK Wade back 11/08 after 2, 21 min since (101% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/19 · 1 day's restOUT Merrill missed 3 since 11/13, returns tonight: 19 min (96% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/20 · back-to-backBACK Merrill back 11/19 after 3, 19 min since (96% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/24 · 3 days' restOUT LeVert missed 2 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 2 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 2 since 11/19, returns tonight: 29 min (155% of 18)
BACK Merrill back 11/19 after 3, 19 min since (96% of 20)
CLE availability going into 11/27 · 2 days' restOUT LeVert missed 3 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 3 since 11/19, out tonight
BACK Merrill back 11/19 after 3, 19 min since (98% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 11/24 after 2, 29 min since (155% of 18)
NEW Jerome 20 to 26 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 11/29 · 1 day's restOUT LeVert missed 4 since 11/19, returns tonight: 20 min (85% of 24)
OUT Wade missed 4 since 11/19, out tonight
BACK Merrill back 11/19 after 3, 19 min since (94% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 11/24 after 2, 26 min since (139% of 18)
NEW Jerome 20 to 27 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 5 since 11/19, out tonight
BACK LeVert back 11/29 after 4, 20 min since (85% of 24)
BACK Merrill back 11/19 after 3, 19 min since (96% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 11/24 after 2, 23 min since (126% of 18)
NOP availability going into 11/13 · 1 day's restOUT McCollum missed 7 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 10 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 7 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 2 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 8 since 10/29, out tonight
BACK Reeves back 11/03 after 3, 8 min since (53% of 15)
NEW Alvarado 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Boston 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/15 · 1 day's restOUT McCollum missed 8 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 11 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 8 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 3 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 3 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 9 since 10/29, out tonight
NEW Alvarado 24 to 31 min over the last 4
NEW Boston 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/16 · back-to-backOUT McCollum missed 9 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 12 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 9 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 4 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 2 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 4 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 10 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 11/13, out tonight
NEW Boston 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/19 · 2 days' restOUT McCollum missed 10 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 13 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 10 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 5 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 3 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 11 since 10/29, returns tonight: 7 min (38% of 19)
OUT Theis missed 3 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 11/15, returns tonight: 7 min (47% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Green 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/20 · back-to-backOUT McCollum missed 11 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 14 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 11 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 6 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 4 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 4 since 11/13, out tonight
BACK Matković back 11/19 after 11, 7 min since (38% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 11/19 after 2, 7 min since (47% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Green 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Cain 14 to 19 min over the last 4
NEW Jemison III 10 to 16 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/22 · 1 day's restOUT McCollum missed 12 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 15 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 12 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 7 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 5 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 7 since 11/08, returns tonight: 20 min (84% of 24)
OUT Theis missed 5 since 11/13, returns tonight: 18 min (113% of 16)
BACK Matković back 11/19 after 11, 12 min since (66% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 11/19 after 2, 23 min since (156% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Green 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Nowell 21 to 26 min over the last 4
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Cain 14 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Jemison III 10 to 17 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/25 · 2 days' restOUT McCollum missed 13 since 10/30, returns tonight: 30 min (93% of 33)
OUT Murray missed 16 since 10/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 13 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 8 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 6 since 11/13, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 11/22 after 7, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Matković back 11/19 after 11, 12 min since (66% of 19)
BACK Theis back 11/22 after 5, 18 min since (113% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 11/19 after 2, 20 min since (132% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Nowell 21 to 27 min over the last 3
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Cain 14 to 22 min over the last 4
NEW Jemison III 10 to 16 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/27 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 17 since 10/25, returns tonight: 25 min (77% of 33)
OUT Jones missed 14 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 9 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 7 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK McCollum back 11/25 after 13, 30 min since (93% of 33)
BACK Hawkins back 11/22 after 7, 19 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Theis back 11/22 after 5, 18 min since (108% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 11/19 after 2, 20 min since (132% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Jemison III 10 to 16 min over the last 4
NOP availability going into 11/29 · 1 day's restOUT Ingram missed 2 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 15 since 10/30, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 10 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 8 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK McCollum back 11/25 after 13, 30 min since (92% of 33)
BACK Murray back 11/27 after 17, 25 min since (77% of 33)
BACK Hawkins back 11/22 after 7, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Theis back 11/22 after 5, 16 min since (100% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 11/19 after 2, 16 min since (110% of 15)
NEW Boston 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Payton 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Robinson-Earl 19 to 27 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Mitchell at 33 and Garland at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Murphy III at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McCollum (11 straight), Murray (14 straight), Jones (11 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 32 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-8 a night and Cleveland plus-1. Call it Cleveland 119, New Orleans 106, Cleveland by 13.
11/13 @ PHI 114-106 — CLE notes
CLE won 114-106. CLE shot 49% (42 of 85) to PHI's 45%, 16 of 40 from three, and went to the line 17 times to PHI's 11 — 14 points from the stripe to their 10. Garland led with 25 (10 of 16, 1 of 4 from three); Mitchell added 23, Mobley 14. The hinge was Q3, 34-24: CLE came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 4. CLE trailed 48-54 at the half and won the second half 66-52. Mobley was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
11/15 vs CHI 144-126 — CLE notes
CLE won 144-126. CLE shot 55% (51 of 93) to CHI's 51%, 21 of 43 from three. Mitchell led with 37 (12 of 23, 7 of 13 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Garland added 29, Allen 24. The hinge was Q1, 49-34: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Wade was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
11/17 vs CHA 128-114 — CLE notes
CLE won 128-114. CLE shot 57% (44 of 77) to CHA's 41%, 13 of 30 from three, and went to the line 28 times to CHA's 12 — 27 points from the stripe to their 10. CLE turned it over 20 times to CHA's 9, and CHA turned those into 12 steals. Garland led with 25 (7 of 16, 2 of 5 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Jerome added 24, Mobley 23. The hinge was Q4, 26-15: a lead of 3 became 14. Mobley was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
11/19 @ BOS 117-120 — CLE notes
CLE lost 117-120. CLE shot 49% (46 of 93) to BOS's 51%, 10 of 29 from three. CLE turned it over 7 times to BOS's 13. Mitchell led with 35 (13 of 29, 3 of 11 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Mobley added 22, Porter Jr. 15. Q3 was theirs, 40-28, the deficit cut from 17 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 92-77 against them. Allen's -16 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/20 vs NOP 128-100 — CLE notes
CLE won 128-100. CLE shot 53% (49 of 93) to NOP's 42%, 18 of 42 from three, and got to the line 14 times to NOP's 22. The glass went 52-40 for them. Jerome led with 29 (10 of 19, 7 of 12 from three); Niang added 20, Tyson 16. The hinge was Q3, 36-18: a lead of 14 became 32. Jerome was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
11/24 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 113, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Garland at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without LeVert (2 straight), Wade (2 straight), Okoro (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Barrett at 25 and Poeltl at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Quickley (5 straight), Walter (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Toronto's 36 and the turnovers, Toronto giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 12. Call it Cleveland 121, Toronto 110, Cleveland by 11.
11/27 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 114, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; Mitchell at 27 and Garland at 20 a game. Without LeVert (3 straight), Wade (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 23 and Young at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Nance Jr. (4 straight), Wallace (4 straight), Gueye (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Atlanta's 32 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 114 a night to Atlanta's 121. Call it Cleveland 125, Atlanta 111, Cleveland by 14.
11/29 @ ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Johnson at 22 and Hunter at 17 a game. Without Krejčí (2 straight), Nance Jr. (5 straight), Mathews (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Jerome at 19 a game. Without LeVert (4 straight), Wade (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 115 a night to Atlanta's 123. Call it Cleveland 122, Atlanta 116.
12/01 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Mobley at 18 a game. Without Wade (5 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 26 and Brown at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Kornet (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 108 a night to Cleveland's 116 and the arc, Boston at 40 percent from three to Cleveland's 35. Call it Cleveland 117, Boston 116, Boston keeping it close.
11/13 @ OKC 88-106 — NOP notes
NOP lost 88-106. NOP shot 40% (34 of 86) to OKC's 44%, 9 of 37 from three. NOP turned it over 23 times to OKC's 5, and OKC turned those into 16 steals. The glass went 58-31 for them. Ingram led with 18 (7 of 18, 4 of 8 from three); Murphy III added 14, Cain 11. Q2 was theirs, 22-21, the deficit cut from 5 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 85-66 against them. They led by as many as 12. Ingram's -17 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/15 vs DEN 101-94 — NOP notes
NOP won 101-94. NOP shot 43% (37 of 87) to DEN's 43%, 11 of 35 from three, and went to the line 18 times to DEN's 11 — 16 points from the stripe to their 10. NOP turned it over 14 times to DEN's 7, and DEN turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 56-38 for them. Ingram led with 29 (12 of 26, 3 of 9 from three); Boston added 19, Murphy III 17. The hinge was Q1, 32-22: from level to 10 ahead. Ingram was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
11/16 vs LAL 99-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 99-104. NOP shot 42% (35 of 83) to LAL's 44%, 11 of 29 from three. NOP turned it over 17 times to LAL's 11, and LAL turned those into 10 steals. Ingram led with 32 (11 of 23, 3 of 5 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Nowell added 16, Boston 12. Q1 was theirs, 30-21, but the other 3 periods went 83-69 against them. They led by as many as 15.
11/19 @ DAL 91-132 — NOP notes
NOP lost 91-132. NOP shot 40% (31 of 78) to DAL's 52%, 11 of 32 from three. NOP turned it over 21 times to DAL's 11, and DAL turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 37-48 against them. Murphy III led with 19 (5 of 13, 2 of 7 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Ingram added 17, Green 14. Q2 was theirs, 22-19, the deficit cut from 15 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 113-69 against them. Murphy III's -35 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/20 @ CLE 100-128 — NOP notes
NOP lost 100-128. NOP shot 42% (39 of 92) to CLE's 53%, 8 of 31 from three, and went to the line 22 times to CLE's 14 — 14 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 40-52 against them. Reeves led with 34 (14 of 25, 4 of 12 from three); Boston added 14, Missi 12. Q4 was theirs, 27-23, the deficit cut from 32 to 28, but the other 3 periods went 105-73 against them. Green's -28 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/22 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 96 a night and allowing 113, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 20 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Murphy III at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without McCollum (12 straight), Murray (15 straight), Jones (12 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Wiggins at 18 a game. Without Post (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 39 percent from three to New Orleans's 30 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-6 a night and Golden State plus-1. Call it Golden State 115, New Orleans 106.
11/25 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 120, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Mathurin at 19 a game. Without Nembhard (9 straight), Nesmith (11 straight), Sheppard (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ingram at 24 and Murphy III at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without McCollum (13 straight), Murray (16 straight), Jones (13 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the arc, Indiana at 37 percent from three to New Orleans's 32 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 114 a night to Indiana's 120. Call it Indiana 116, New Orleans 110.
11/27 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Ingram at 22 and Murphy III at 22 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Murray (17 straight), Jones (14 straight), Williamson (9 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Barrett at 26 and Barnes at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Quickley (7 straight), Walter (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Toronto wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Toronto has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-4 and the line, where Toronto takes 26 free throws a game to New Orleans's 21. Call it Toronto 113, New Orleans 111, New Orleans keeping it close.
11/29 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Pippen Jr. at 15 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Edey (5 straight), Williams Jr. (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 121, shooting 43 percent and 30 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and Reeves at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Ingram (2 straight), Jones (15 straight), Williamson (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-7 and the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to New Orleans's 30. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 106, Memphis by 16.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CLECP C. Porter Jr.
DM D. Mitchell
EM E. Mobley
GN G. Niang
JA J. Allen
JT J. Thor
JT J. Tyson
LT L. Travers
TJ T. Jerome
TT T. Thompson
NOPAR A. Reeves
BB B. Boston
BJ Boston Jr.
EP E. Payton
JC J. Cain
JG J. Green
JR J. Robinson-Earl
JE Jemison
KM K. Matković
TJ T. Jemison III
YM Y. Missi
CLE/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
CLEVELAND -- — Ty Jerome scored 27 points in the first half and finished with a career-high 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers never trailed in a 128-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Jerome, starting in place of injured point guard Darius Garland , had 20 points in the second quarter and buried seven 3-pointers before halftime. Cleveland is off to the best start in franchise history at 16-1.
Georges Niang added 20 points and first-round pick Jaylon Tyson had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first pro start for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Rookie forward Antonio Reeves , who averaged 2.9 points per game, scored 34 points, and Brandon Boston Jr . had 14 points for the injury-riddled Pelicans.
Takeaways Pelicans: Elfrid Payton was signed earlier in the day and appeared in his first NBA game since May 15, 2022 with Phoenix. Coach Willie Green started the 30-year-old point guard, who posted 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four turnovers.
Cavaliers: Cleveland bounced back from a 120-117 loss in Boston on Tuesday and led by as many as 34 points to remain unbeaten through nine home games. Donovan Mitchell only played 20 minutes and Evan Mobley logged just 18.
Key moment Jerome drained three long 3-pointers in a 62-second span in the second quarter, turning Cleveland’s single-digit lead into a 67-51 advantage. The combined distance of the 3s was 101 feet.
Key stat New Orleans’ top-six scorers -- averaging a combined 110.5 points -- were out with injuries, forcing it to use all three of its two-way players. Forward Brandon Ingram sat out his first game with a bilateral ankle sprain.
Up next The Pelicans host Golden State on Friday, and the Cavaliers continue their three-game homestand Sunday against Toronto.