How did Cavs beat Pelicans 111-106?

A fourth-quarter surge flips the scoreboard

Cleveland took control late to knock off New Orleans 111-106 and extend a recent run of strong play. The Cavaliers relied on a fourth-quarter turnaround in which the scoring tightened into a key separation moment: Cleveland outscored the Pelicans 35-18 in the final period.

Donovan Mitchell provided the offensive punch in the closing stretch, finishing with 27 points. James Harden, who was scoreless in the first half, came alive after the break—adding 20 points in the second half while also impacting the game through playmaking and late momentum.

The timing of the surge is what stands out. Cleveland’s second-half performance didn’t just keep pace; it changed the direction of the game in a way that forced New Orleans to play catch-up during the most important minutes.

This matters for Cleveland because it shows they can win with different stars at different times rather than needing a perfect first-half script. A 35-18 quarter is the type of margin that usually decides playoff-style contests: it suggests rotations tightened, shot quality improved, and the defensive effort translated into enough stops and rebounds to generate offense.

With the Cavaliers’ third straight win and fourth victory in five games, the implications are straightforward—Cleveland is building consistency and late-game confidence.

For New Orleans, the loss interrupts what had been strong home success, leaving the Pelicans needing to address why they fell behind so sharply in the final quarter. For Cleveland fans, the takeaway is clear: their ability to flip games late has returned, and it will be tested again as the postseason approaches.