LOS ANGELES, NOV 21 – Ty Jerome scored 29 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from their first loss of the season by beating the New Orleans Pelicans 128-100 yesterday.
The Cavaliers saw their 15-game unbeaten streak suddenly ended by the Boston Celtics on Tuesday but dominated New Orleans with an easy win from start to finish in front of their home crowd.
The Cavaliers were always in control of the game against a Pelicans team that was struggling after recording its ninth loss in 10 games.
After leading 69-55 at halftime, the Cavaliers continued to press in the third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 36-18 to extend their lead to 32 points heading into the final quarter before finishing with the win.
The Cavaliers struggled to score from three-point range during their recent NBA Cup loss to Boston, but enjoyed greater success from three-point range against New Orleans.
Jerome made seven of 12 attempts from three-point range, including six of them in a remarkable performance in the second quarter that saw him score 20 points.
Georges Niang also had an outstanding performance, hitting six three-pointers to finish the game with 20 points.
The win saw the Cavaliers improve their record to 16-1 at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Pelicans fall to 4-12 and remain one spot from the bottom Western Conference.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson paid tribute to Jerome’s outstanding performance in the second quarter that had the crowd on the court excited.
“It’s great. Moments like that don’t happen often in the NBA,” Atkinson said. “It’s like a star performance, to be honest, which is very rare.” – AFP
