TITLE: Cavaliers edge Kings 132-126 as James Harden delivers decisive debut
SLUG: cavaliers-edge-kings-in-harden-debut
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a late seven-point deficit to defeat the Sacramento Kings 132-126 on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center, spoiling James Harden’s first appearance in a Cleveland uniform.
Key numbers
• Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 35 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.
• Harden finished with 23 points, eight assists and 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range; 15 of his points came in the final period.
• Jarrett Allen posted 29 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds.
How it unfolded
Sacramento, which entered the night on an 11-game skid, led 119-112 with just under four minutes remaining. Allen converted inside, and Harden knocked down back-to-back threes to put Cleveland ahead 120-119 and silence the crowd.
After DeMar DeRozan tied the game with a late three-pointer, Mitchell drew a foul and hit two free throws to secure the victory. The Cavaliers scored 39 points in the fourth, 32 of them from Mitchell and Harden.
Debut dynamics
Cleveland’s new backcourt looked tentative early, and the defense struggled with rotations, but alternating one star with the second unit kept the game close through halftime. Harden repeatedly found Allen on pick-and-rolls and dump-offs, leading to Allen’s efficient night.
Standing tall despite absences
The Cavaliers (32-21) have won three straight and eight of their last nine while playing without injured starters Evan Mobley and Max Strus and, on Saturday, forward Dean Wade (ankle). They are 3-1 on their current Western Conference trip, which concludes Monday in Denver.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson credited Harden’s playmaking for smoothing out the offense late. “I’m just trying to find ways I can help those guys,” Harden told FanDuel Sports Network after the game.
Source: Hoops Wire
