James Harden’s Home Debut
In a thrilling home debut for James Harden, the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased an impressive performance, securing a dominant 138-113 win against the Washington Wizards. Harden, who recently joined the Cavaliers from the LA Clippers on February 4, finished the game with 13 points and 11 assists in just 28 minutes, achieving his second double-double in three outings with his new team. Despite struggling with his shooting, converting only one of four attempts from the field, he made up for it by sinking 10 of 12 free throws.
Cavaliers’ Winning Streak
This victory marks the Cavaliers’ fifth consecutive win and 10 out of their last 11 games, solidifying their place as a strong contender in the league. The team’s performance was highlighted by Sam Merrill, who notched a career-best 32 points, and Donovan Mitchell, who contributed 30 points. Mitchell’s scoring average of 29.0 points per game places him fifth in the NBA. This game also marked his remarkable 28th time achieving at least 30 points in a match.
First Half Dominance
Cleveland’s dominance was evident early on, with Merrill scoring an astounding 26 points in the first half alone, remaining perfect on all nine of his shot attempts, which included a stellar seven three-pointers. His standout performance in the second quarter helped propel the Cavaliers to a substantial lead, culminating in a 74-55 advantage with just over two minutes left in the half. Merrill’s approach exemplified efficiency, as he finished the game shooting 11 for 12 overall and 9 for 10 from beyond the arc.
Wizards’ Struggles
The Wizards began the second half with hopes of reviving their performance, launching a 12-2 run that cut the deficit to just five points. However, the Cavaliers responded decisively and maintained control throughout the remainder of the game, ultimately entering the final quarter with a commanding 108-89 lead.
For Washington, Kyshawn George led the team’s efforts with 17 points, while Jamir Watkins contributed 16 points. Unfortunately for the Wizards, this loss marked their third consecutive defeat and fourth loss in five games, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
Historical Context and Upcoming Matches
This meeting extended the Cavaliers’ impressive winning streak over the Wizards to 15 games dating back to 2022, now the second-longest winning streak against a single team in the franchise’s history.
Looking ahead, the Wizards will host the Indiana Pacers on February 19, while the Cavaliers will take on the Brooklyn Nets on the same date, both teams striving to enhance their playoff positioning as the season progresses.
