CLEVELAND — James Harden confirmed in his first two video games with the Cleveland Cavaliers that he can give you the massive shot and key defensive play in the clutch.
In his Cleveland home debut, Harden confirmed that he could be a facilitator as different gamers on the roster rose to the event.
Harden had 13 factors and 11 assists in 28 minutes in the Cavaliers’ 138-113 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night time. He was only one of 4 from the sector, however went 10 of 12 from the foul line.
“Like I advised them, I’ll determine it out. We’ll do some adjusting with one another, however for probably the most half, I’ll play with y’all and do what y’all been doing and I’ll discover my approach they usually’ve been doing that,” Harden stated. “So even tonight, I shoot 4 photographs, however we win by 25 factors. That’s crucial factor. And Sam will get it going. And I’m simply right here to win.
“So no matter that appears like, if I obtained to go on the market and rating a whole lot of factors the place I obtained to take 4 photographs and we win, that’s crucial factor for me. And tonight was a kind of examples.”
Cleveland followers made Harden instantly really feel welcome. The Cavaliers handed out beards on a keep on with the sellout crowd and Harden obtained a standing ovation when he was launched in pregame warmups.
“The gang is at all times loopy. Each time I come right here as a customer, they’re loopy about you recognize, the Cavs and The Land and really loyal they usually present up each single night time,” he stated. “It’s one of many issues that I used to be principally enthusiastic about. So tonight was no totally different.”
Harden was traded by the LA Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 3. In his Cavaliers debut on Feb. 7 at Sacramento, he scored 17 of his 23 factors in the fourth quarter of a 132-126 win over the Kings.
On Monday night time at Denver, Harden hit a game-tying three-pointer earlier than Donovan Mitchell made a pair of free throws because the Cavaliers rallied for a 119-117 victory.
Wednesday’s recreation confirmed although that Harden can nonetheless have a huge impact, even when he is not taking photographs. His 11 assists led to 26 factors.
Sam Merrill, who had a career-high 32 factors, made six baskets off Harden’s passes, together with 4 three-pointers, for 16 factors.
“Most groups run related stuff, so a whole lot of it’s simply determining the wording of it,” Merrill stated. “Right now we’re watching clips of what we will do offensively and there’s three or 4 clips, it’s the Clippers and we’re simply type of seeing what James is doing.”
Harden has two double-doubles in his three video games with Cleveland. He had 10 rebounds in opposition to the Nuggets.
Even with Harden in the lineup, it hasn’t affected Mitchell’s scoring. The all-star guard has had at the least 30 factors in three straight video games.
“I imply he sees the sport at a unique degree,” Mitchell stated. “I didn’t discover he solely had 4 photographs, however he’s out right here creating, making performs, doing various things after which clearly his gravity, it opens the lane for everyone else and it’s simply steady. And he’s teaching on the bench in huddles and that’s why he’s right here.”
The Cavaliers have gained 5 straight and 10 of 11. They’re 17-5 since Dec. 29 and have the league’s greatest profitable proportion over that stretch at .773.
Cleveland has managed to maintain rolling regardless of including three new gamers — Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis — over the previous two weeks and never having a apply to get acclimated. Merrill famous that it has principally been movie classes and elective shootaround classes because of the compact schedule of video games.
Coach Kenny Atkinson stated he’s wanting ahead to the upcoming all-star break to have an opportunity to take a breather whereas additionally taking a look at methods they’ll enhance.
“I haven’t been in a position to dive as deep as I need to and see how we will use them higher. However you recognize, you possibly can see they’ve rapid chemistry,” he stated. “We ran that one play for Sam, I don’t know, eight instances and James was type of the architect of that and him and Donovan speaking. So I’ll strive to take a look at extra movie, see how we might help him extra. However immediately we’ve had it. Some guys that actually, actually perceive the sport.”
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