Pro Sports

Goodwin's 21 points help Cavs rally, beat Pelicans 93-90

Posted January 31, 2022 6:00 am

By TOM WITHERS

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans' Herbert Jones (5) as Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) - Reserve guard Brandon Goodwin matched his career-high with 21 points, Jarrett Allen added 16 and the Cleveland Cavaliers shook off an ugly road loss by rallying to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 93-90 on Monday night.

The Cavs, who played poorly in a 10-point loss at Detroit the day before, were without starting point guard Darius Garland due to a sore lower back. Kevin Love added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Cedi Osman had a career-high 12 assists for Cleveland, which trailed by nine in the fourth quarter

Devonte' Graham scored 20 points, Jaxson Hayes 19 and Jonas Valanciunas had 16 for the Pelicans, who lost their fourth straight. New Orleans was also down a major piece as forward Brandon Ingram, who leads the Pelicans in points and assists, missed his fifth game in a row with an ankle injury.

Valanciunas could have tied it in the final second, but his drive was tightly contested by several Cavs players and his miss was grabbed by Lamar Stevens, who then made 1 of 2 free throws to close the scoring.

Cleveland finished with an 11-4 record in January, and continued its rise in the Eastern Conference following last year's 22-win season.

'œWe were a team who spent three days reading our press clippings about how good we are,'ť coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game, expecting his team to recover from Sunday's loss.

But for much of Monday's game, the Cavs didn't look much better and trailed 73-63 early in the fourth.

They were able to stay close thanks to Goodwin, whose 3-pointer pulled the Cavs within 84-81 before Isaac Okoro knocked one down from long range to make it 86-84 with 3:31 left. Allen then grabbed an offensive rebound and dunked to tie it 90-all with 1:32 left.

Goodwin originally signed a 10-day contract with the team in December before it was converted to a two-way deal.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: Missed their first 12 3-point attempts. ... Coach Willie Green said Ingram is 'œgetting better and better.'ť Ingram is one of just three NBA players averaging at least 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and three or less turnovers. The Nets' Kevin Durant and the Heat's Jimmy Butler are the others. ... Rookie F Trey Murphy Jr. was active after being cleared from the NBA health and safety protocols.

Cavaliers: Won their fifth straight at home. ... Cleveland is 11-2 in its last 13 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, which is becoming noticeably louder and fuller as the season progresses. ... F Lauri Markkanen missed his fourth straight game with a sprained right ankle. Bickerstaff said Markkanen is improving and has done some 'œlight'ť basketball work.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Continue their road trip Tuesday at Detroit.

Cavaliers: Visit Houston on Wednesday.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives on New Orleans Pelicans' Jaxson Hayes (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Josh Hart (3) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas (17) puts up a shot between Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) and Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Jose Alvarado (15) knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Rajon Rondo (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Devonte' Graham (4) drives on Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez (9) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez (9) goes up to shoot against Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) and Cedi Osman (16) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives against New Orleans Pelicans' Jaxson Hayes (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) The Associated Press

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