Cavaliers Stage Comeback Victory Over Pelicans Behind Mitchell and Harden’s Heroics
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a double-digit deficit to secure a thrilling 111-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, thanks to standout performances from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
Mitchell led the charge with 27 points, while Harden, who was held scoreless in the first half, exploded for 20 points in the second half to ignite the Cavaliers’ comeback. The win marked Cleveland’s eighth victory in their last nine matchups against New Orleans and snapped the Pelicans’ seven-game home winning streak.
The Pelicans seemed to be in control, leading 88-76 heading into the final quarter. However, the Cavaliers flipped the script in the fourth, outscoring New Orleans 35-18. Harden was instrumental in the turnaround, scoring 13 points in the quarter, including three 3-pointers and a layup in the first five minutes. His aggressive play sparked an 18-7 run that shifted the momentum in Cleveland’s favor.
Mitchell also played a pivotal role in the final stretch, contributing 12 points in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers took the lead for good at 100-99 after a layup by Max Strus, capping off a 15-7 surge that sealed the victory.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans with a team-high 25 points, including 15 in the third quarter. Despite picking up three early fouls and struggling offensively in the first half, Williamson found his rhythm after halftime, scoring 11 points in just over two minutes during a 14-2 run that gave New Orleans a 72-61 lead. Saddiq Bey added 19 points for the Pelicans, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Cleveland’s late-game surge.
The Cavaliers’ defensive adjustments also played a key role in the win. They effectively limited Trey Murphy’s opportunities from beyond the arc, forcing him into contested shots. Meanwhile, Herb Jones, not typically known for his 3-point shooting, stepped up with 12 first-half points on 4-of-10 shooting from deep to keep New Orleans competitive early on.
Cleveland got off to a strong start, racing to a 31-18 lead in the first quarter behind Mitchell’s nine points and 10 assists on 12 made field goals. However, the Pelicans closed the period on a 10-0 run to narrow the gap, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle.
Harden, who had scored a team-high 36 points in Cleveland’s previous game against Chicago on Thursday, struggled to find his shot initially but made up for it with five assists in the first half. His second-half resurgence proved crucial as the Cavaliers clawed their way back into the game.
The victory keeps Cleveland’s momentum alive as they continue their push in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will look to regroup after seeing their impressive home winning streak come to an end.
Up Next:
The Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, aiming to build on their recent success. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will travel to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday as they seek to bounce back from the tough loss.
— Reported by Nexio News
