Donovan Mitchell set the tone for the Cleveland Cavaliers by scoring 37 points. Sam Merrill provided a career-best 19 off the bench, fueling a 135-130 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets during the NBA’s Monday action. It’s the 11th consecutive win for the Cavs in an overtime game.
Merrill and Max Strus played pivotal roles in overtime, contributing five and four points, respectively. This crucial period saw the Cavaliers outpace the Rockets 13-8, tying the second-longest OT winning streak in NBA history, a record held by New Orleans with 13 consecutive wins from 2006-08.
Mitchell praised Merrill’s performance, reflecting on their past encounters during pickup games and highlighting the fusion of hard work and opportunity.
“This is what Sam does, this is who he is,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been playing pickup games against him since he was at Utah State, and I was with the Jazz. When hard work meets opportunity, it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
The game was tightly contested, with Rockets’ Alperin Sengun tying the score with a free throw late in regulation. The Cavaliers missed a crucial 3-pointer, and Sengun’s fadeaway at the buzzer narrowly missed, sending the game into overtime.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets Updates
Fred VanVleet set season highs with 27 points and 17 assists, complemented by eight rebounds. Sengun also had a strong showing with 24 points. Despite these efforts, the Rockets’ road struggles continued, contrasting their impressive home record.
Sengun acknowledged the team’s defensive shortcomings, also pointing out his own foul trouble as a contributing factor.
“We’re doing great on offense, which you can tell, but not so much on defense,” Sengun said. “Me being in foul trouble tonight didn’t help, but we are not doing as good on defense as we usually do.”
The Cavaliers’ victory came amidst challenges, with key players Evan Mobley and Darius Garland sidelined until February. Mobley is set for knee surgery, and Garland is recovering from a jaw injury.
Mitchell emphasized the collective effort needed in the absence of Mobley and Garland while also mentioning his sore right shoulder following a collision. Strus contributed 17 points, and Caris LeVert added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Merrill’s performance, including five 3-pointers, underscored the depth of the Cavaliers, who have started their four-game homestand with two wins.
“Every game, it’s going to be by committee. No one player can do what they do,” Mitchell said. “But honestly, it’s time for us to start winning. No excuses.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets Updates
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s trust in Merrill was a highlight, with Merrill expressing gratitude and surprise at the team’s overtime record.
“I’m grateful for Coach (J.B. Bickerstaff) and his trust in me,” Merrill said. “That’s a pretty cool stat about our record in overtime. I didn’t know that.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets Updates
VanVleet’s impact was notable, averaging career highs in assists and leading the NBA in minutes played. The game was marked by intense competition, especially in the third quarter, which saw Cleveland scoring a season-high 42 points and entering the fourth with a slim lead.
Looking forward, the Rockets will face Atlanta, while the Cavaliers are set to host Utah in their upcoming games.
