Cavs Starting to Click Again as Merrill’s Return Sparks Offensive Surge
The Cavaliers haven’t quite looked like the team that topped the Eastern Conference standings last season-but over the past two nights, we’ve seen flashes of that version again. And while Cleveland is still waiting to get fully healthy, the return of one key piece has already started to shift the equation.
Sam Merrill rejoined the lineup Monday night against Charlotte, and the offensive ripple effect was immediate. The Cavs exploded for 139 points in that game, then followed it up with 141 the next night against New Orleans-marking their second- and third-highest scoring totals of the season. For a team that’s had to grind through injuries and offensive inconsistency, that’s a welcome sign.
It’s been a rough go health-wise. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have both missed extended time, Max Strus hasn’t suited up yet this season, and Cleveland’s depth has been tested just about every night. But Merrill’s return has brought a much-needed jolt-particularly from beyond the arc.
Against Charlotte, Cleveland torched the Hornets from deep, hitting 55% of their threes. Donovan Mitchell dropped 30, and the floor spacing was night-and-day from what we’ve seen in recent weeks.
Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans brought more of the same. The Cavs shot 41% from three, with Mitchell leading the way again with 27.
Merrill added 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting from long range, and he wasn’t just a spot-up threat-he also chipped in seven assists and six boards.
So, can one player really make that kind of difference? Mitchell didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah,” he said. “I think it’s really as simple as pointing in his direction.”
Mitchell pointed to Merrill’s presence in the corner as a game-changer. Defenders can’t cheat off him, which opens up driving lanes when Mitchell draws extra attention.
That kind of gravity matters-especially for a team that’s struggled to find rhythm from deep. Cleveland currently sits in the bottom third of the league in three-point percentage, so getting a sharpshooter like Merrill back in the mix is more than just helpful-it’s essential.
If this is a preview of what the Cavs can look like with more weapons on the floor, there’s reason for optimism heading into the new year.
Cooper Flagg Outduels the Nuggets in Statement Win for Mavericks
Tuesday night in Dallas had the feel of something bigger than just a regular-season win. The Mavericks edged out the defending-champion Nuggets 131-130 in one of their most impressive victories of the season, and once again, it was rookie Cooper Flagg leading the way.
Flagg turned in a monster performance-33 points, nine rebounds, nine assists in 40 minutes-and did it all with a calm that belied his age. The moment wasn’t too big.
The lights weren’t too bright. He looked like a player who’s already comfortable being the guy.
Even Nikola Jokic took notice.
“He was definitely a hot hand out there,” Jokic said postgame. “But the poise that he played with, he doesn’t feel like he’s so young. He looked really mature out there.”
Denver coach David Adelman echoed that sentiment, pointing to Flagg’s ability to create under pressure.
“It was the tough shots,” Adelman said. “Some of the threes late in the clock.
He got to his spots. Bruce Brown really fought him in the second half and he still made big shots.
He’s very impressive.”
This wasn’t a one-off either. After a slow start to the season, Flagg has found his rhythm in December.
He’s averaging 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this month, and Dallas has responded-going 6-4 in December after a brutal 6-15 start to the year. That turnaround has vaulted Flagg to the front of the Rookie of the Year conversation, and it’s not just the numbers-it’s the way he’s doing it.
He’s making tough shots. He’s facilitating.
He’s defending. And most importantly, he’s winning.
Wembanyama’s Block Streak Ends, But Spurs Keep Rolling
The Spurs picked up their seventh straight win Tuesday night with a 130-110 victory over the Thunder, but for once, the box score didn’t include a Victor Wembanyama block-and that’s a rarity.
Wembanyama finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists in just 23 minutes, still under a minutes restriction as he works his way back from a left calf strain. But the headline stat?
Zero blocks. That snaps a streak of 101 consecutive games with at least one, the longest in Spurs history and the third-longest in NBA history, trailing only Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo.
Even without his trademark rim protection, San Antonio didn’t miss a beat. The Spurs are now 22-7 and playing some of their best basketball of the season, with a rematch against OKC set for Christmas Day. Wembanyama may not have swatted anything Tuesday night, but his presence alone still changes the way opponents attack the paint-and with him rounding back into form, the Spurs’ ceiling only gets higher.
The streak may be over, but the momentum is real. And with another marquee matchup on deck, San Antonio has a chance to make another statement in front of a national audience.