TITLE: Mitchell and Harden Fuel Fourth-Quarter Surge as Cavaliers Beat Pelicans 111-106
SLUG: mitchell-harden-fuel-fourth-quarter-surge-cavaliers-beat-pelicans
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers dug out of a double-digit hole Tuesday night and left Smoothie King Center with a 111-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, leaning on late heroics from their starting backcourt.
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points and James Harden supplied 20 points along with 10 assists, combining for 17 points during a decisive fourth-quarter stretch that flipped the game in Cleveland’s favor. Once the Cavaliers grabbed the lead, they never surrendered it, improving their record to 44-27.
Evan Mobley provided steady interior support with 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Sam Merrill added a double-double as Cleveland controlled the glass throughout the night.
The Cavaliers built an early advantage before falling behind and spending most of the evening in catch-up mode. Offensively, the rhythm came and went, but down the stretch the visitors executed on both ends—stringing together stops and knocking down key shots to close out the win.
New Orleans’ loss snapped its momentum and raised the question of whether Cleveland’s poised finish can translate into sustained consistency over the final weeks of the regular season.
Source: Hoops Wire
