In Cleveland, Sam Merrill steals the show from James Harden

At startup matchup against the Wizardsall eyes were logically turned towards James Harden. This one, replaced by Darius Garland, played the first match in Ohio after the first two meetings with the Cavs away from home.

Then eyes gradually turned to a player well known to the local public: Sam Merrill. The latter took advantage of the newcomer’s attention, as well as that of team leader Donovan Mitchell, to completely catch fire from 3-point range.

The first projectile that landed from the “twist” of the screen at the head of the racket, the second from the same place after the “two-handed” James Harden, the third after the overturned ball and feint into the corner… Simply, “Manny Merrill” made his first nine shots in the first period, including… seven 3-point baskets.

James Harden and fashion distribution

« He’s a sniper. When someone gets fired up like that, I’ll give them the ball “, notes James Harden who, without giving too much emphasis on “hitting” (13 points on 1/4 shooting, 10/12 on throws), shared 11 balls.

Author of 17 points in the second quarter alone, Sam Merrill finished with 32 points, a new career high, based on enormous percentages: 11/12 including 9/10 from distance. The previous record for a scorer, who played in the style of Klay Thompson with minimal dribbling, was 27 units.

« My shot went well. I felt like (the defense) wasn’t even there. It’s always about making the best choice. I will never force things, whether it’s a pass or a shot. It was never in my DNA. You’re never as good as your last hit. These things can change quickly », notes the 29-year-old player who a few days earlier scored 0/6 on shots in Sacramento.

His performance on the night allowed him to increase his average for the year to 13.6 points, a career best. He is approaching the top of the list of the most skilled three-pointers in the championship (47.2%).

The Cavs are coming back up the slope

« I think we’re 22-9 when he’s on the scoresheet. He makes a connection between everything. But it’s great. The audience was fantastic. Enjoying such a shooting festival was really cool. It was one of the sweetest times of the year. The atmosphere was electric, he kept putting them together and we served him », s’enthusiasm Kenny Atkinson.

His team’s fifth straight victory moved it back to 4th place in the East with a record of 34 wins and 21 losses. And with the best winning percentage in the league since the end of December. Enough to get James Harden excited, not “insulted” that the spotlight was stolen from him.

« I only hit four shots, but we won by 25 points. There will be nights when I score 35 or 40 points. I am in the top 10 scorers of all time. Scoring has never been a problem for me. We all know why I’m here. We have only one goal (title) “, the bearded woman recalls.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.