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The Cleveland Cavaliers took over in the fourth quarter to win a thriller in Sacramento. Let’s see who won and lost the night.
WINNER – The Fourth Quarter
This one came down to the wire. That’s in part because of Sacramento’s lights-out shooting and Cleveland’s poor rebounding. But when push came to shove, the Cavs had two stars they could turn to.
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Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 32 points in the fourth quarter, just when the team needed it most. It was devastating shot after devastating shot, as Mitchell got the ball rolling before Harden buried the Kings with his three-point shooting.
This wasn’t seamless. Mitchell and Harden took turns dicing up the Kings in a game where they might have led earlier if they had more synergy between each other. But hey, it’s their first game together. It took both Mitchell and Harden a few quarters to find each other’s groove. But with one prolific quarter, we saw how special this duo can be.
WINNER – James Harden’s Pick-and-Roll
There’s a new maestro in town, and he has a big fuzzy beard.
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Harden is one of the best playmakers in the NBA. That’s something you probably already knew. But until you see him in a Cavs uniform dishing the ball to some of your favorite players — you don’t really understand just how great he is.
This wasn’t anything incredible. Harden finished with 23 points and 8 assists. But he consistently delivered the ball to his teammates in the pick-and-roll. Harden was finding them on their way to the rim, whether it be Jarrett Allen, Jaylon Tyson, or Craig Porter.
Harden’s instincts as a 6’5” dimer give this offense a new wrinkle. He shredded Sacramento’s attempts at trapping him, showing supreme poise in accepting the pressure and then getting the ball out at precisely the right time. He’s a basketball savant who is now surrounded by connective passers and competent play finishers.
The Cavaliers have always, in my opinion, been at their best when the offense is leading the charge. Sure, they’ve had the backbone of a defensive team for years, but it’s their offensive explosions that…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/winners-losers-cavs-kings-harden-055720548.html
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Publish date : 2026-02-08 05:57:00
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