Sam Merrill scores career high 27 Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell beat Jazz 124-116

Sam Merrill scored 27 points and 8 3-pointers as the Cavs beat the Jazz. Cleveland was short-handed and made a franchise-record 23 3-pointers.

Sam Merrill had a standout performance for the Cavaliers, setting career highs with 27 points and eight 3-pointers off the bench in their 124-116 victory over the Jazz. This impressive performance included Merrill burying three 3-pointers during a 17-2 run to open the fourth quarter, giving Cleveland its largest lead at 109-95. He finished 9 of 16 from the field, including 8 of 14 beyond the arc, and 1 of 2 from the foul line in a career-best 30 minutes.

Merrill, a fourth-year pro from Utah State, expressed his excitement about his performance, especially against his hometown team, the Jazz. He mentioned growing up as a Jazz fan in Utah and how special it was to have such a game against them. The Cavaliers were without key players like Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland, but Merrill's performance, along with contributions from other players like Max Strus, Jarrett Allen, and Talen Horton-Tucker, helped secure the win.

The Jazz, on the other hand, had Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and Ochai Agbaji in their lineup, and despite their efforts, they fell short in the game. Markkanen expressed how he and Sexton wanted to win the game badly, especially given the warm reception Sexton received in his first game back in Cleveland.

Overall, the game was a display of outstanding performances, with Merrill shining as the standout player for the Cavaliers. The game also highlighted the resilience and character of both teams, with the Cavaliers showcasing their ability to overcome adversity and the Jazz displaying their determination to compete despite challenging circumstances.