NBA Roundup: Merrill boosts Cavs offense, Flagg stuns Nuggets, Wembanyama’s block streak ends
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The NBA’s Tuesday slate delivered three notable storylines: Sam Merrill’s return sparked Cleveland’s attack, rookie Cooper Flagg guided Dallas past Denver, and Victor Wembanyama’s remarkable shot-blocking streak came to a close.
Cavaliers
Cleveland’s offense erupted for the second straight night, following Monday’s 139-122 win in Charlotte with a 141-117 victory over New Orleans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The back-to-back outputs are the club’s second- and third-highest of the season.
Key numbers: The Cavaliers hit 55 percent from three against the Hornets and 41 percent versus the Pelicans. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 and 27 points, respectively, while Merrill—back after missing two weeks—added 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds on Tuesday, shooting 6-for-10 from deep.
Mitchell credited Merrill for loosening defenses. Asked if one player can have that much impact, he replied, “Yeah. I think it’s really as simple as pointing in his direction.” With Cleveland sitting in the league’s bottom third in three-point percentage, Merrill’s availability offers an immediate boost.
Mavericks
Dallas edged Denver 131-130 at American Airlines Center, riding another standout performance from 19-year-old Cooper Flagg. The forward produced 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes, continuing a December surge that has vaulted him to the front of the Rookie of the Year race.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic praised the rookie’s composure, saying, “He was definitely a hot hand out there … He looked really mature.” Denver interim coach David Adelman added that Flagg “made big shots” despite tight defense from Bruce Brown.
Season trend: After a 6-15 start, the Mavericks are 6-4 this month. Flagg is averaging 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in December.
Spurs
San Antonio recorded its seventh consecutive win by beating Oklahoma City 130-110 at Frost Bank Center, but Wembanyama’s box score contained a rarity: no blocked shots. The 7-foot-4 rookie had swatted at least one attempt in 101 straight games, the longest run in franchise history and the NBA’s third-longest behind Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo.
Wembanyama finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes while remaining on a minutes restriction after a left calf strain. He is averaging 21 minutes in six games since returning. The 22-7 Spurs meet the Thunder again on Thursday’s Christmas Day slate.
Source: Hoops Wire
