The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to continue their current hot streak when they play the Utah Jazz at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday.
They have won four games in a row and eight of their last nine, and they have the NBA’s best record at 25-4, which puts them 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Celtics, who are in second place in the Western Conference.
For Cleveland, forwards Isaac Okoro (right should AC joint sprain) and Dean Wade (right knee soreness) won’t play on Monday, which means Sam Merrill will join Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the starting lineup, per Serena Winters.
Sam Merrill in the starting lineup tonight!
Cavs Starters:
Darius Garland
Donovan Mitchell
Sam Merrill
Evan Mobley
Jarrett AllenDean Wade is out tonight with right knee soreness. Isaac Okoro remains out with a right shoulder AC joint sprain.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 23, 2024
Merrill, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard in his fifth season out of Utah State University, is averaging 6.8 points in 19.7 minutes a game on 36.8 percent shooting from the field and 32.3 percent from 3-point range this season.
Last season, he contributed 8.0 points per game and made 40.4 percent of his attempts from 3-point range.
Outside shooting is one of several things Cleveland excels at these days — they’re tops in the NBA in 3-point shooting accuracy, and they’re also eighth in 3-point attempts per game.
The flavor and complexion of the team has significantly changed under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, who has loosened the reigns on the offensive end.
Cleveland is playing at a faster pace than they previously did, and the proof is in the pudding, as they’re first in the league in offensive rating and second in points per game.
Last season, they were just 16th and 20th, respectively, in those two categories.
NEXT: Analyst Is Still Encouraged With Cavs After Latest Loss
