Game ID: 22500412
New Orleans Pelicans @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM ET
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
CLE 32 37 41 31 141NOP 22 38 31 27 118
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 12/14 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 6 since 11/30, returns tonight: 23 min (83% of 28)
OUT Merrill missed 11 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 6 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 4 since 12/03, returns tonight: 6 min (63% of 10)
BACK Ball back 12/03 after 2, 23 min since (113% of 21)
NEW Tyson 24 to 32 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/17 · 2 days' restOUT Merrill missed 12 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 7 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/14 after 6, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Ball back 12/03 after 2, 26 min since (123% of 21)
BACK Proctor back 12/14 after 4, 6 min since (63% of 10)
NEW Tyson 24 to 33 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/19 · 1 day's restOUT Mobley missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Merrill missed 13 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 8 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/14 after 6, 25 min since (91% of 28)
BACK Proctor back 12/14 after 4, 6 min since (63% of 10)
NEW Tyson 24 to 33 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/22 · 2 days' restOUT Mobley missed 3 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Merrill missed 14 since 11/19, returns tonight: 26 min (104% of 25)
OUT Nance Jr. missed 9 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/14 after 6, 27 min since (97% of 28)
BACK Proctor back 12/14 after 4, 13 min since (129% of 10)
NEW Tyson 24 to 32 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Mobley missed 4 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 10 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/14 after 6, 25 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Merrill back 12/22 after 14, 26 min since (104% of 25)
BACK Proctor back 12/14 after 4, 11 min since (103% of 10)
CLE availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Mobley missed 5 since 12/14, returns tonight: 25 min (77% of 33)
OUT Nance Jr. missed 11 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Allen back 12/14 after 6, 25 min since (91% of 28)
BACK Merrill back 12/22 after 14, 26 min since (104% of 25)
BACK Proctor back 12/14 after 4, 10 min since (98% of 10)
NEW Bryant 11 to 18 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Nance Jr. missed 12 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Mobley back 12/25 after 5, 25 min since (77% of 33)
BACK Merrill back 12/22 after 14, 27 min since (108% of 25)
CLE availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Tomlin missed 2 since 12/25, returns tonight: 5 min (37% of 14)
OUT Nance Jr. missed 13 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Mobley back 12/25 after 5, 23 min since (69% of 33)
BACK Merrill back 12/22 after 14, 27 min since (107% of 25)
CLE availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Nance Jr. missed 14 since 11/30, out tonight
BACK Mobley back 12/25 after 5, 25 min since (75% of 33)
BACK Merrill back 12/22 after 14, 26 min since (106% of 25)
BACK Tomlin back 12/29 after 2, 5 min since (37% of 14)
NOP availability going into 12/14 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 6 since 11/30, returns tonight: 27 min (90% of 30)
OUT Jordan missed 22 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 3 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 12/02 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (71% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 13 min since (65% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 9 min since (64% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/02 after 2, 12 min since (85% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW McGowens 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Jordan missed 23 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 27 min since (90% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (70% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (111% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 10 min since (68% of 15)
NOP availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 24 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 15 min (97% of 15)
OUT Looney missed 6 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 25 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 11 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 25 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 7 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 6 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (80% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 22 min since (78% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (114% of 24)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT McGowens missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 31 min (146% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 26 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 8 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 7 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (114% of 24)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Jordan missed 27 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 9 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 8 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (79% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 31 min since (146% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 12 min since (90% of 14)
NOP availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 28 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 10 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 9 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (126% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 9 min since (61% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 12 min since (90% of 14)
NOP availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 29 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 11 since 12/04, returns tonight: 24 min (164% of 15)
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 12/26, returns tonight: 12 min (87% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 9 min since (60% of 15)
NOP availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 30 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Looney back 12/29 after 11, 24 min since (164% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 12 min since (87% of 14)
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 123 a night and allowing 128, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 32 and Garland at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Mobley (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 26 free throws a game; Williamson at 20 and Murphy III at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without McGowens (2 straight), Jordan (26 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 115 a night to Cleveland's 128 and the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-2 a night and Cleveland minus-5. Call it Cleveland 122, New Orleans 121, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/14 vs CHA 111-119 — CLE notes
CLE lost 111-119 in 1 overtime. CLE shot 40% (38 of 95) to CHA's 44%, 12 of 38 from three, and went to the line 29 times to CHA's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 16. Garland led with 26 (8 of 19, 3 of 7 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Mitchell added 17, Tyson 16. Q4 was theirs, 32-23, the deficit cut from 9 to 0, but the other 4 periods went 96-79 against them. Mitchell's -12 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/17 @ CHI 111-127 — CLE notes
CLE lost 111-127. CLE shot 48% (42 of 87) to CHI's 56%, 12 of 39 from three. CLE turned it over 20 times to CHI's 15, and CHI turned those into 12 steals. Mitchell led with 32 (11 of 23, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Tyson added 21, Garland 15. Q1 was theirs, 34-33, but the other 3 periods went 94-77 against them. They led by as many as 12. Garland's -18 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/19 vs CHI 125-136 — CLE notes
CLE lost 125-136. CLE shot 48% (48 of 101) to CHI's 52%, 14 of 39 from three. Garland led with 35 (13 of 27, 6 of 12 from three); Proctor added 16, Tomlin 15. Q3 was theirs, 44-35, the deficit cut from 11 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 101-81 against them. They led by as many as 11.
12/22 vs CHA 139-132 — CLE notes
CLE won 139-132. CLE shot 55% (48 of 87) to CHA's 49%, 24 of 44 from three, and got to the line 19 times to CHA's 25. CLE turned it over 13 times to CHA's 19. The glass went 30-44 against them. Mitchell led with 30 (10 of 18, 6 of 11 from three); Garland added 27, Hunter 27. The hinge was Q2, 37-27: CLE came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 7, and the lead reached 19. Wade was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
12/23 vs NOP 141-118 — CLE notes
CLE won 141-118. CLE shot 53% (56 of 105) to NOP's 46%, 20 of 49 from three, and got to the line 11 times to NOP's 25. Mitchell led with 27 (11 of 16, 2 of 6 from three); Merrill added 22, Tyson 18. The hinge was Q1, 32-22: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Hunter was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/25 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and Towns at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without McBride (5 straight), Shamet (13 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Garland at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Mobley (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-6 a night and Cleveland minus-4 and the defense, New York allowing 114 a night to Cleveland's 126. Call it New York 121, Cleveland 117, Cleveland keeping it close.
12/27 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Thompson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 128, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 18 free throws a game; Mitchell at 31 and Garland at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Cleveland minus-2 and the defense, Houston allowing 117 a night to Cleveland's 128. Call it Houston 122, Cleveland 118, Cleveland keeping it close.
12/29 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 21 and Castle at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 126, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 27 and Garland at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the glass, where San Antonio has been plus-8 a night and Cleveland minus-3 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 110 a night to Cleveland's 126. Call it San Antonio 123, Cleveland 116.
12/31 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Garland at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Allen (6 straight), Green (22 straight), Dunn (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-4 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Cleveland's 119. Call it Cleveland 118, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
12/14 @ CHI 114-104 — NOP notes
NOP won 114-104. NOP shot 46% (43 of 93) to CHI's 41%, 8 of 33 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CHI's 17 — 20 points from the stripe to their 15. The glass went 53-43 for them. Murphy III led with 20 (8 of 14, 2 of 6 from three); Fears added 20, Williamson 18. The hinge was Q2, 31-21: NOP came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 5, and the lead reached 15. Bey was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/18 vs HOU 133-128 — NOP notes
NOP won 133-128 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 51% (49 of 97) to HOU's 47%, 11 of 27 from three. NOP turned it over 12 times to HOU's 18. The glass went 41-58 against them. Bey led with 29 (11 of 18, 3 of 5 from three); Murphy III added 27, Jones 18. The hinge was Q4, 36-20: NOP came in trailing by 16 and left it level. NOP trailed 45-67 at the half and won the second half 88-61. Bey was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/20 vs IND 128-109 — NOP notes
NOP won 128-109. NOP shot 53% (45 of 85) to IND's 43%, 9 of 27 from three. Williamson led with 29 (9 of 14, 11 of 13 at the line); Bey added 18, Murphy III 17. The hinge was Q1, 44-27: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/22 vs DAL 119-113 — NOP notes
NOP won 119-113. NOP shot 45% (44 of 97) to DAL's 44%, 8 of 34 from three, and went to the line 27 times to DAL's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 11. Williamson led with 24 (10 of 14); Bey added 19, Queen 19. The hinge was Q4, 40-26: NOP came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 6. NOP trailed 57-63 at the half and won the second half 62-50. Queen was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/23 @ CLE 118-141 — NOP notes
NOP lost 118-141. NOP shot 46% (43 of 94) to CLE's 53%, 11 of 26 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CLE's 11 — 21 points from the stripe to their 9. Williamson led with 26 (9 of 15, 8 of 9 at the line); Queen added 21, Murphy III 14. Q2 was theirs, 38-37, the deficit cut from 10 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 104-80 against them. Alvarado's -18 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 28 free throws a game; Williamson at 21 and Murphy III at 18 a game. Without Jordan (27 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Allen (3 straight), Green (19 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-2 a night and Phoenix minus-9 and the line, where New Orleans takes 28 free throws a game to Phoenix's 21. Call it New Orleans 118, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
12/27 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Murray (2 straight), Jordan (28 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Allen (4 straight), Green (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Phoenix's 23. Call it Phoenix 117, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/29 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 32 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Murphy III at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (3 straight), Murray (3 straight), Jordan (29 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 34 and Towns at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McBride (7 straight), Shamet (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the arc, New York at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 30. Call it New York 119, New Orleans 118, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/31 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Vučević at 16 and Buzelis at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Murphy III at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (4 straight), Murray (4 straight), Jordan (30 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-4 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Chicago's 24. Call it Chicago 122, New Orleans 119, New Orleans keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CLECP C. Porter Jr.
DG D. Garland
DH D. Hunter
DM D. Mitchell
DW D. Wade
JA J. Allen
JT J. Tyson
NT N. Tomlin
SM S. Merrill
TB T. Bryant
TP T. Proctor
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
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
Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill propel Cavaliers to 141-118 victory over Pelicans
CLEVELAND -- — Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, Sam Merrill added 22 and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away in the second half for a 141-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Nine of the 11 players used by the Cavaliers players scored in double figures as they won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 21-23. Cleveland also evened its December record at 5-5.
The 23-point victory was the Cavaliers' second-biggest margin this season.
It was the fifth time in the NBA this season and the second time in three days a team has had nine players score in double figures. According to Sportradar, it was only the second time in franchise history the Cavaliers had done it. The previous time was Nov. 10, 1992, against the Washington Bullets.
Cleveland scored at least 139 points for the second straight night and eighth time this season.
The Cavaliers got 57 points from their reserves as Jaylon Tyson scored 18 and Jaylon Tyson added a season-high 15.
Center Jarrett Allen had 14 points, including his first 3-pointer since Jan. 29, 2023.
Zion Williamson scored 26 points off the bench as New Orleans had a five-game winning streak snapped. Derik Queen added 21 points.
Merrill, who returned to the lineup Monday night after missing 14 games with a sprained right hand, was 7 of 12 from the field and 6 of 10 on 3-pointers in 26 minutes. It was the third time this season he scored at least 20 points.
Queen's 3-pointer got the Pelicans within 76-70 before the Cavaliers blew it open with a 17-4 run. Mitchell had 13 points and made all six of his shots in the quarter as Cleveland was 17 of 26 from the field.