NEW ORLEANS (AP) 鈥� Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers stemmed a two-game slide with style and on the road against an opponent that has been hard to beat lately.
Mitchell scored 14 points, Darius Garland had 27 points and 11 assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers combined for 20 3-pointers in a 116-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 how we鈥檙e supposed to play,鈥� Mitchell said. "Move the ball around, getting stops. It was just fun to watch and be a part of.
鈥淲e really stepped up against a great team,鈥� he added. "It was beautiful.鈥�
Mitchell, who made four 3s, was one of four Cavs with at least that many, along with Darius Garland (six) and Sam Merrill (five) and Georges Niang (four). Cleveland finished 20 of 45 from deep, while the Pelicans made just 4 of 22 from long range in losing for the first time in five games.
Center Jarrett Allen had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Cavs, who also were delighted by their 38 assists on 47 made baskets.
Zion Williamson had 33 points and nine rebounds for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram scored 20 and Trey Murphy III 11. New Orleans outscored Cleveland 56-52 in the paint and 21-2 from the foul line 鈥� statistical advantages which were more than wiped out by the dramatic disparity in 3-point shooting.
鈥淲e just weren't on from the 3-point line tonight,鈥� Williamson said. 鈥淏ut when nights like that happen, we have to find other ways to be effective.鈥�
The Cavaliers 鈥減layed with more of a sense of urgency,鈥� Pelicans coach Willie Green said. "They were the hungrier team.
鈥淲e had a letdown. So, not indicative who we鈥檝e been, and the guys know it," Green added.
The Cavaliers have hit at least 20 3s in nine games this season, winning eight of those.
鈥淚f we鈥檙e open, we want to take them. It boosts our offense because people have to chase us around,鈥� Bickerstaff said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e tried to make the 3-point shot a weapon and I think we did a great job of it tonight.鈥�
Mitchell hadn't played since Feb. 28 because of a left knee bruise. He said the knee felt better than he expected but that he still has to rebuild confidence in its stability before he's back to his vintage self.
His point total was just half his 28 per game average for the season, but having him back was big lift for the Cavs.
鈥淗e attracts so many people on the offensive end for us. You have to really load up on him, Garland said. "You have to respect what he does and opens up a lot of stuff for everybody else.鈥�
Cleveland was opportunistic inside but were not looking to stress the Pelicans defensively on the interior for much of the game. The Cavs didn't attempt their first free throw until Garland scored as he was fouled with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
鈥淭hat just speaks to how well we played in other facets of the game,鈥� Mitchell said.
When Merrill made his final 3 of the game on Cleveland's next possession to put the Cavs up 100-74, fans began filing out.
Niang scored 16 points and Merrill 15. Cleveland reserve center Damian Jones, who grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had one of his best games this season, scoring a season-high 14 points.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit Houston on Saturday night.
Pelicans: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
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AP NBA:
Brett Martel, The Associated Press
