2023-07-11 02:39:00
Opening this Summer League evening, the Cavaliers of Sharife Cooper and Emoni Bates faced the Grizzlies of Kenneth Lofton Jr. and David Roddy. But the hero of the match is not the one we expected, since it was Sam Merrill who stole the show by planting, in the greatest calm, 27 points with crazy efficiency.
As we know, the Summer League is the place of unexpected performances, and that of Sam Merrill last night is one of them. With 27 points at 9/13 shooting (including 8/11 from the parking lot) in just 21 minutes, the Cavs sniper put the Grizzlies down almost single-handedly. Even Kenneth Lofton Jr. mightn’t do anything, that’s telling you!
From the first quarter, we felt that Merrill was on his feet with a 3/6 from afar on shots that are often far from easy. He continued to warm up nicely in the second quarter by scoring 8 more points, bringing his total to 18 and his team’s advantage to 9 units at the break. But it was on returning from the locker room that the sniper really fired his weapon.
Sam Merrill with 18 PTS (5 3PM) in the first half! ???? pic.twitter.com/NXscNLmZ2n
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 10, 2023
In just over 3 minutes, he dispatched three new bombs from the parking lot with amazing ease.. When a shooter is hot, we shut up, we put up screens and we give him the pump, and that’s what Merrill’s teammates did perfectly, who put him in perfect condition to knock out the Grizzlies. At the end of this crazy streak, the Cavs took a 19-point lead that their opponents might never recover. And it’s not for lack of trying.
SAM MERRILL IS ON FIRE ????
The Cavs guard hits his 8th three of the game on ESPNews! #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/XHbCTmZyfJ
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2023
First in-form man on the Memphis side, Kenneth Lofton Jr. carried his team in the first half with 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists even before the break. Finishing under the circle, mid-distance, 3 points, and-one,… it only took him 10 minutes to demonstrate the extent of his offensive palette. The interior has not forgotten to delight its partners and contribute in defense with a nice scotch, a few interceptions and several good battles on the rebound. Like his first match once morest the Sixers, the interior seemed set for a new masterclass. But he was much more discreet and less effective in the second half, not scoring a single point.
It’s easy for Junior tonight. A feint to open the drive, going to absorb 2 contacts to finish with the fault. That plus the passing game, the possession before… It’s fun basketball.
— Grizzlies France (@GrizzliesFR) July 10, 2023
It was then Jake LaRavia (16 points) and David Roddy (18) who took over the attack of the Bears. The duo tried everything but mightn’t close the gap created by Sam Merrill’s inflamed wrist. On the Cleveland side, Emoni Bates also showed skill by scoring 16 points in the second half. Alongside a rough but sometimes precious Sharife Cooper, he sealed the victory for his family. Final score, 100-77 in favor of Cleveland, which won its third success in as many games in this Summer League.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. showed up once more last night, but was upstaged by an incandescent Sam Merrill. Clinic from the 3-point line, the Cleveland sniper is the hero improbable of this night, since one is needed for each Summer League evening.
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#Sam #Merrill #fire
