New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers

Ty Jerome scores career-high 29 points, Cavaliers rout injury-riddled Pelicans 128-100

Jerome, starting in place of injured point guard Darius Garland, had 20 points in the second quarter and buried seven 3-pointers before halftime. Cleveland is off to the best start in franchise history at 16-1.

Georges Niang added 20 points and first-round pick Jaylon Tyson had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first pro start for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Rookie forward Antonio Reeves, who averaged 2.9 points per game, scored 34 points, and Brandon Boston Jr. had 14 points for the injury-riddled Pelicans.

Takeaways Pelicans: Elfrid Payton was signed earlier in the day and appeared in his first NBA game since May 15, 2022 with Phoenix. Coach Willie Green started the 30-year-old point guard, who posted 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four turnovers.

Cavaliers: Cleveland bounced back from a 120-117 loss in Boston on Tuesday and led by as many as 34 points to remain unbeaten through nine home games. Donovan Mitchell only played 20 minutes and Evan Mobley logged just 18.

Key moment Jerome drained three long 3-pointers in a 62-second span in the second quarter, turning Cleveland’s single-digit lead into a 67-51 advantage. The combined distance of the 3s was 101 feet.

Up next The Pelicans host Golden State on Friday, and the Cavaliers continue their three-game homestand Sunday against Toronto.

Regular Season Series

CLE wins series 2-0

Matchup Prediction