CLEVELAND – In a remarkable display of shooting prowess, Sam Merrill set career highs with 27 points and eight 3-pointers off the bench, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-116 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Merrill, a fourth-year pro from Utah State, was the catalyst in a decisive 17-2 run that opened the fourth quarter, propelling the Cavaliers to a commanding 109-95 lead. His shooting performance was nothing short of stellar, going 9 of 16 from the field and 8 of 14 from three-point range. Merrill’s 30 minutes on the court were the most productive of his career, especially meaningful as he faced the team he grew up supporting.
Cleveland, playing without key players including Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland, showed remarkable depth and resilience. Mitchell’s absence was particularly notable as the game was against his former team, the Jazz. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff commended the team’s collective effort, highlighting their character and willingness to step up in the face of adversity.
Max Strus added 18 points for Cleveland, primarily from six 3-pointers, while Jarrett Allen contributed 17 points and eight rebounds. The Cavaliers’ 23 3-pointers came on a franchise-record 51 attempts, illustrating their confidence and efficiency from beyond the arc. This victory marked their third consecutive win on a four-game homestand.
For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen led the scoring with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Collin Sexton added 20 points. Talen Horton-Tucker had an impressive night with 19 points and a career-high-tying 11 assists. Despite their efforts, the Jazz’s struggles on the road continued, falling to 2-13 away from home.
Markkanen and Sexton, both part of the trade that sent Mitchell to Cleveland, expressed a strong desire to win against their former team. Sexton’s return to Cleveland was met with a warm reception, acknowledging his connection with the Cavaliers’ community.
Cleveland’s bench was instrumental in the victory, outscoring Utah’s reserves 75-32, with contributions from players like Georges Niang and Tristan Thompson. Merrill’s impact was evident from the first half, where he scored 17 points and helped Cleveland to a 62-56 lead at the break.
The Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen acknowledged the challenge of stopping a team that catches fire from the three-point line, as the Cavaliers did in the final quarter.
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The Jazz will look to rebound as they visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers aim to continue their winning streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans, also on Thursday night. This game exemplified the Cavaliers’ ability to overcome key absences and showcased Merrill’s potential as a significant contributor.
