Get ready for an exciting basketball tale! The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Washington Wizards in a thrilling 138-113 victory, with an incredible performance from Sam Merrill, who scored a career-high 32 points. But here's the twist: this game marked James Harden's home debut with the Cavs, and it was a controversial one!
Harden, fresh from his trade from the LA Clippers, put up 13 points and 11 assists in just 28 minutes. However, his shooting was a bit off, going only 1 for 4 from the field. But don't underestimate him; he made up for it at the foul line, sinking 10 out of 12 attempts.
The Cavaliers have been on a roll, winning five straight and 10 out of their last 11 games. And this is the part most people miss: this was the fifth time this season that the Cavs never trailed in a game!
Donovan Mitchell, the league's fifth-highest scorer, added 30 points to the mix, while Jarrett Allen contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. On the Wizards' side, Kyshawn George and Jamir Watkins kept the fight going with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
But the real star of the show was Sam Merrill. He dropped 26 points in the first half alone, making all nine of his shots from the field, including an impressive seven 3-pointers! This feat has only been achieved three times in the franchise's history.
Merrill's hot streak continued in the second quarter, where he scored 17 points, including 12 during a crucial 16-5 run that gave the Cavs a comfortable 74-55 lead. He finished with an incredible 11 for 12 from the field and 9 for 10 on 3-pointers.
Despite a brief comeback attempt by the Wizards in the second half, the Cavaliers maintained their lead and pulled away, taking a 19-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.
So, what's next for these teams? The Wizards will host Indiana on February 19th, while the Cavaliers will face Brooklyn on the same day.
And here's a thought-provoking question for you: With Harden's controversial performance and the Cavs' impressive streak, do you think they can continue their dominance, or will the Wizards find a way to break the curse? Let's discuss in the comments!
