Dominant 124-91 Decision at Intuit Dome

The Cavaliers had an interesting – and highly productive – visit to Tinseltown midway through their current road trip. They rolled into L.A., did some business, mauled the home team, and left town with a future Hall of Famer acquired for the playoff push and beyond. 

Even without James Harden – who Cleveland dealt for earlier in the day, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles – the red-hot Cavaliers continued their recent surge, going wire-to-wire over the Clippers in a dominant 124-91 decision on Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome.

After a hiccup in Phoenix to start the roadie, the Cavs have blasted their last two opponents – and Wednesday’s drubbing was their seventh win in the last eight outings, jumping all over Ty Lue’s squad in the opening quarter and never looking back from there.  

Cleveland opened up a 20-point lead late in the first quarter and the Clippers got to within single -digits just one time after that. The Cavs led by 20 at half and by 26 after three quarters. In the fourth, they were ahead by 30-plus for nearly the entire period.

“Great competitive spirit; we were all over the place,” said Kenny Atkinson after the win. “We had two days in between, and you could see we had some rested legs. I loved our defensive activity, our defensive intensity. And I think that was the difference in the game.”

Wednesday’s lopsided win capped a busy Trade Deadline week that saw the Cavs acquire the 11-time All-Star from the Clips, sending Garland – the team’s most tenured player – back to L.A. in the blockbuster deal earlier in the day. Two days earlier, Cleveland acquired guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis from Sacramento in exchange for De’Andre Hunter. 

Both Schroder and Ellis made their debut on Wednesday – and both contributed in the win. Schroder led Cleveland’s second unit with 11 points, going 5-of-14 from the floor, adding six assists and three steals. Ellis followed up with six points, going 2-of-4 from long-range to go with three boards and a pair of steals of his own. 

Schroder was asked following the win about his early impressions after his first game with Cleveland. “Impressive win, a great group of guys,” said the 13-year veteran. “(Held the Clippers) to under 50 points at half; we didn’t have that in Sacramento for a long time. A really competitive group who wants to play defense and share the ball on offense. I love it. I feel comfortable already.”

Donovan Mitchell once again led the Cavs with 29 points on 10-for-19 shooting, pacing both teams with nine assists and a season-high-tying four steals. Mitchell is now averaging 7.1 assists per over his last 10 games, handing out nine dimes in his second straight outing. 

Mitchell’s four picks were part of a season-high 17 steals for Cleveland on Wednesday. Overall, Cleveland’s defensive forced 24 Clippers turnovers that they converted into 47 points. 

Jaylon Tyson added 17 points, going 7-for-10 from the floor, 3-of-3 from long-range, adding four boards and a steal. The surging sophomore hasn’t missed a three-point attempt in either of his last two outings and is now connecting on a .481 clip from deep – good for second-best mark in the NBA. 

Sam Merrill – who’s right on Tyson’s tail at .462 – went 3-for-5 from deep in the win, 4-of-6 overall for 11 points. 

Jarrett Allen rounded out the starters in double-figures, doubling-up with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Cleveland is now 9-2 this season when Allen notches a double-double this year; 130-47 in his career as a Cavalier. 

Overall, the Cavaliers dominated across the board in L.A. – shooting 51 percent from the floor, drilling 16 triples, handing out 30 assists and committing just nine miscues. Cleveland racked up 60 points in the paint and outran the Clippers on the break, 27-11. 

Everyone who suited up for the Wine & Gold on Wednesday got into the boxscore, with Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant adding eight points apiece off the bench – Bryant leading all reserves with eight boards to go with a pair of blocks. 

Kawhi Leonard led L.A. with 25 points, with John Collins pitching in with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting. 

*** The Cavaliers head up the coast for a Saturday night showdown with the Kings in Sacramento on Saturday night before wrapping up the trip on Monday night in Denver. On Wednesday night, Cleveland closes out the season’s unofficial first half when they welcome the new-look Wizards to Rocket Arena. When they next take the floor after the All-Star Break, it’s a home matchup with the Nets on February 19, followed by a trip to Charlotte to take on the Hornets the very next night.