Cleveland Cavaliers (44-27) beat New Orleans Pelicans (25-47) 111-106 on the road on Saturday, March 21, after falling far behind. The Cavaliers were down 12 at one quarter break and still finished 5 ahead.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Cavaliers had the better start, winning the first 34-28 to lead by 6 after one. The Pelicans moved in front with a 28-19 second quarter, carrying a 3-point lead into halftime.
The Pelicans won the third 32-23 to create some separation, taking a 12-point lead into the fourth. The Cavaliers took the fourth 35-18; the Cavaliers completed the comeback for a 111-106 regulation win.
What flipped it
The Cavaliers grabbed 31.8% of their own misses, while the Pelicans recovered 19.6%. The Cavaliers got more from their shots, finishing at 54.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 50% for the Pelicans. In a 5-point game, the second chances kept adding up.
The Pelicans did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 9.2 against 13.4. The Cavaliers made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 97 possessions per team, the Cavaliers produced 114.2 points per 100 possessions to 109 for the Pelicans.
Who carried the comeback
Zion Williamson was the game's biggest individual force for NOP: 25 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast on 10-14 shooting. His Game Score of 21.4 led everyone. His team was -9 with him on the floor.
James Harden led the Cavaliers with 20 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast on 8-17 shooting, good for a 19 Game Score.
Sam Merrill (15 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) and James Harden (20 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 61% for the Cavaliers.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 3-0.
The Cavaliers are now 44-27, and the Pelicans are 25-47. The Cavaliers last five before this game: L-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.