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Sam Merrill overcomes slump and thrives in Cavs win over his hometown Utah Jazz
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- Sam Merrill overcomes slump and thrives in Cavs win over his hometown Utah Jazz
CLEVELAND — There's just something special about Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill playing his hometown Utah Jazz .
Merrill entered Monday night in a shooting slump. But the Salt Lake City, Utah, native started for only the second time this season and went 6-of-12 shooting from the field (6 of 11 on 3-pointers, 54.5%) for a season-high 20 points, helping the Cavs prevail 124-113 in their final home game of 2024 .
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"Money Merrill" was back.
"It was great to see him out there just doing what he does," said Cavs point guard Darius Garland , who scored a game-high 23 points and dished out eight assists. "When he's aggressive like that and ready to shoot, it's really good for us, for sure. It was a coming out party for him, I guess. It was a revenge game. This is his game, Utah. He was ready."
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) rebounds in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 23, 2024, in Cleveland.
On Dec. 20, 2023, Merrill scored a career-high 27 points in a 124-116 win over the Jazz.
"I wouldn't say there's anything crazy different when I play Utah, but it is fun to play that team," said Merrill, who grew up rooting for the Jazz and went to Utah State University.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) throws a pass beside Utah Jazz center Micah Potter (25) in the first quarter Dec. 23, 2024, in Cleveland.
Merrill produced 14 points and made 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point range as the NBA-leading Cavs (26-4) outscored the Jazz (7-21) by seven points in the third quarter. He finished with four assists and tied a career high with three steals in 24 minutes.
"He gives it to you on defense," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. "I've said for me it's not about him making 3s or not, but when he does, it really sparks us. [He] got the crowd into it. Thought he was the star of the match."
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) defends Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) in the fourth quarter Dec. 23, 2024, in Cleveland.
Merrill headed into the game shooting 36.8% from the field and 32.3% on 3-pointers this season. He shot 40.2% from the floor and 40.4% on 3-pointers last season.
"I feel obviously very confident in my abilities, and I feel like I've had some bad luck so far this year," Merrill said. "So just keep shooting, keep being aggressive and felt like tonight was an opportunity.
"It was nice to finally have something like that. If I have one bad shooting game, I try and say it's just one game. So if I have one good shooting game, I just try and say it's one game. So it's all about just trying to try to be consistent, and hopefully this was the springboard I needed."
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Merrill conceded he probably overworked himself last week while trying to snap out of the slump.
"I was starting to get tired, so I just took a couple days off and just got away from the court," he said.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) and Utah Jazz guard Svi Mykhailiuk (19) reach for the ball in the first quarter Dec. 23, 2024, in Cleveland.
During team flights, five-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has been encouraging Merrill.
"We know he can shoot," said Mitchell, whose 22 points against the Jazz matched Cavs forward Evan Mobley 's scoring total. "[Merrill has been] missing these shots, and we're still winning.
"[I've told Merrill], 'Imagine when you make shots. Don't get upset.' I could see if we were losing because it was all on him, but he puts that pressure on himself, which I respect, which is what I love about him."
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The Cavs also would love if their recent rendezvous with the Jazz proves to be a definitive turning point for Merrill.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs guard Sam Merrill overcomes slump to shine vs. hometown Utah Jazz
