Latest news with #SamMerrill
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Cleveland Cavaliers lock Sam Merrill with a $38 million deal for four years
Sam Merrill via Getty Images Talented sharpshooter Sam Merill was roped in by the Cleveland Cavaliers for the next NBA season. According to ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania, Sam Merril signed a $38 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the upcoming four NBA seasons. The proficient shooter's presence would add much-needed backcourt depth to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the ongoing offseason and significant roster changes. The 60th overall pick during the 2020 NBA draft has represented the Memphis Grizzlies as well as the Milwaukee Bucks. NBA star Sam Merrill joins the Cleveland Cavaliers in a $38 million contract The Cleveland Cavaliers are busy making the most of the offseason. The NBA team went on to add former Milwaukee Bucks star Sam Merrill to the team roster for the upcoming four seasons in a $38 million contract. During the 2024 NBA season, Sam Merrill posted a career best by appearing in 71 games, averaging 7.2 points in 19.7 minutes per contest. With his hard work and sheer dedication on the basketball court, the 29-year-old athlete went on to fix his spot in the Cleveland Cavaliers team roster. ESPN's prominent NBA analyst Shams Charania posted about Sam Merrill and the Cavaliers $38 million deal on X. The post mentioned 'ESPN story on the Cleveland Cavaliers and sharpshooting guard Sam Merrill reaching a new four-year, $38 million contract that helps cement the franchise's point guard depth chart.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Monster Hunter Wilds – Exclusive Discounts! Shop Now Undo Sam Merrill's time with the Cavaliers began in 2023 when he joined the team on a 10-day contract — a short stint that quickly turned into a multi-year deal. Now, that opportunity has grown into a long-term commitment, with Merrill securing his place as a dependable shooter and solid depth piece at the shooting guard position. His re-signing brings stability to a backcourt that includes Darius Garland and recently acquired Lonzo Ball, who came over from the Chicago Bulls in a trade for Isaac Okoro on June 28. With Ty Jerome likely heading elsewhere in free agency, Merrill's return provides valuable continuity and shooting for a Cleveland team that finished among the league leaders in three-point percentage last season. Also Read: Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.'s unexpected surprise for Giannis Antetokounmpo indicates towards a sport crossover Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
New York Post
15 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Sam Merrill agrees to four-year, $38 million contract to stick with Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have locked in one of their backcourt depth pieces for the future. Sam Merrill has agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract to stay in Cleveland, ESPN reported Saturday afternoon. The 60th overall pick of the 2020 draft averaged 7.2 points across 19.7 minutes across a career-high 71 games last season. Advertisement In the Cavaliers' run to the Eastern Conference semifinals, he averaged 5.8 points across 19.9 minutes. Sam Merrill of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images Merrill has served as a depth piece for the Cavaliers, as he also did during stints with Memphis and Milwaukee, where he was a rookie on the NBA champion Bucks in 2021. Advertisement Going into his fourth year in Cleveland, the 29-year-old solidified a point guard depth chart that also includes Darius Garland and Lonzo Ball, who was traded by the Bulls to the Cavs in exchange for Isaac Okoro on Saturday. Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) shoots the ball against the Pacers in Game 3 of their playoff series. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Fellow Cleveland guard Ty Jerome, however, is expected to leave in free agency. Last season, the Cavaliers were one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. Advertisement Merrill shot 37.2 percent from deep on an average of 5.2 attempts per game. He shot 40.4 percent from beyond the arc in 2023-24. In 2023, Merrill joined the Cavaliers on a 10-day contract, which was converted to a guaranteed, multi-year deal that came to an end this summer.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Road scholars: NBA teams finding success in 2nd round of playoffs away from home court
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collects a loose ball in the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrate during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Russell Westbrook defend in the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Russell Westbrook defend in the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collects a loose ball in the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrate during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Russell Westbrook defend in the second half of Game 3 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs Friday, May 9, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) DENVER (AP) — A change of scenery has certainly served the Cleveland Cavaliers well. Because they made themselves right at home in Indy. It's a common theme in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs, where the road squads boast a 7-3 mark so far. Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman has plenty of possible theories to explain why home court doesn't seem to provide as much of an advantage at the moment. Advertisement For Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, all that really matters is this — their road win Friday night over the Pacers rescued their season. After dropping the first two games at home, the East's top-seeded Cavaliers now trail the Pacers 2-1 in their best-of-seven series heading into Game 4 in Indianapolis on Sunday night. 'I know he didn't say that, (this was a must win),' Mitchell said about coach Kenny Atkinson's message before Game 3. 'I knew it. I kind of kept that to myself, understanding going down 0-3 and playing here is tough. So yeah, this was a must-win.' The Nuggets hold a 2-1 series lead over the West's top-seeded Thunder thanks to stealing Game 1 in Oklahoma City. Granted, they were blown out by 43 points in Game 2 but they protected their home court Friday night with a 113-104 overtime victory. 'It's easy to say, 'Just stay in it, man,'" said Adelman, who's the son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman. 'They're coming in at 100 miles per hour, they have a great basketball team, well-coached. It just feels good to come out with a win.' Advertisement As for homecourt advantage, David Adelman believes the 3-pointer has become the great equalizer for a road team. 'I also think that's why you see more blowouts in the playoffs, because there are teams that can get hot and make 20, 22 3s,' Adelman explained. 'It can get out of control very quickly.' Even more, Adelman reasoned that today's players are almost insulated from the loud noise in opposing arenas. 'Maybe it's the way they grew up, playing AAU and traveling all over the place and playing,' Adelman said. 'They're less likely to feel as much anxiety on the road.' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has a more simplistic approach when it comes to road games — or any games for that matter. Advertisement 'If we can stay focused," Daigneault said, "in a great environment on what we need to do, we have confidence we can win the game.' Oklahoma City at Denver Nuggets When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC) Series: Nuggets lead, 2-1 BetMGM says: Thunder by 5.5 What to Know: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, the frontrunners in the NBA MVP race, went a combined 15 of 47 from the floor in Game 3, including 1 of 16 from 3-point range. It would be a big surprise to see that kind of shooting display — Jokic was 8 of 25, Gilgeous-Alexander finished 7 of 22 — out of them again. The Thunder did a masterful job of rolling coverage toward Jokic, the reigning MVP. He had 16 rebounds to go with 20 points and six assists. He's yet to record a triple-double in the series after posting three in seven games against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Gilgeous-Alexander was 1 of 8 in the fourth quarter and didn't take a shot in overtime. 'A few of the shots felt good, more than a few,' said Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds in nearly 45 minutes. 'They didn't go in, obviously.' Advertisement Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 8 p.m. EDT (TNT/truTV) Series: Pacers lead, 2-1. BetMGM says: Cavaliers by 4.5. What to Know: Cleveland played its best — and most complete — game of the series to avoid falling into the dreaded 3-0 deficit. But questions remain. All-Star guard Darius Garland was not himself after returning from a toe injury that forced him to miss the Cavs previous four games and Atkinson isn't sure if, or how much, he'll play Sunday night. Atkinson was also waiting to see how NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key backup De'Andre Hunter felt after also returning from injuries. The Pacers are looking for a much better start and a much better effort than the one coach Rick Carlisle criticized Friday night. They also must figure out a way to slow down Mitchell, who has scored 33, 48 and 43 points in the first three games. On top of that, they must find a way to ignite All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton again. He had little significant presence Friday as he finished with four points and five assists. ___ AP Sports Writer Mike Marot contributed to this report. ___ AP NBA:
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers (05/09): Box score, player stats, game summary and more
Cleveland Cavaliers stars Sam Merrill and guard Donovan Mitchel. Image via: Michael Conroy/ AP The Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back in Game 3 as they secured a much-needed 126-104 victory against the Indiana Pacers on May 9th at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. After losing the first two games, the Cavaliers clinched the victory as the Pacers led the series 2-1. Here is the box score, player stats, game summary, and everything you need to know about the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers matchup. Cleveland Cavaliers: Box score and player stats Player POS MIN FGM FGA FG% 3 PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS +/- Max Strus F 33:16:00 8 12 66.7 4 8 50 0 0 0 2 5 7 0 1 0 1 5 20 32 Evan Mobley F 35:08:00 6 13 46.2 1 3 33.3 5 6 83.3 5 8 13 4 3 0 3 2 18 26 Jarrett Allen C 30:59:00 6 11 54.5 0 0 0 7 8 87.5 4 8 12 0 2 2 3 2 19 38 Donovan Mitchell G 37:17:00 14 29 48.3 5 13 38.5 10 14 71.4 1 4 5 9 1 0 2 4 43 35 Darius Garland G 24:53:00 3 11 27.3 2 7 28.6 2 2 100 1 4 5 3 0 0 4 2 10 -14 De'Andre Hunter 20:33 2 6 33.3 1 5 20 3 4 75 1 4 5 0 0 0 2 8 8 -10 Ty Jerome 13:29 1 8 12.5 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 3 2 2 -15 Dean Wade 14:16 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 1 0 1 1 1 0 -15 Sam Merrill 20:07 1 5 20 1 5 20 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 3 3 3 18 Isaac Okoro 3:44 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 50 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 -3 Javonte Green 3:09 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 -1 Craig Porter Jr. 3:09 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 -1 TOTALS 42 100 42 14 47 29.8 28 37 75.7 18 38 56 24 7 5 26 32 126 22 Cleveland Cavaliers game summary Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with a huge performance, scoring 43 points in 37 minutes. Operation Sindoor India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases He shot 14-of-29 from the field and nailed five three-pointers. Mitchell also added nine assists and five rebounds, showing his all-around impact. Although he had a couple of turnovers, his offensive firepower helped push the Cavs forward. His +35 plus-minus shows just how valuable he was during his time on the floor. Max Strus had one of his best shooting nights of the season. He hit 8-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and finished with 20 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds and played over 33 minutes. His energy and spacing made a big difference, especially when paired with Mitchell in the backcourt. Strus had just one turnover, showing how efficient he was on both ends. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were solid in the paint. Mobley finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 46.2% from the field and going 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also chipped in with four assists and three steals. Allen added 19 points and 12 boards, hitting 6-of-11 shots and converting 7-of-8 from the line. He had two blocks and helped anchor the defense down low. Together, they controlled the glass and protected the rim well. The bench didn't contribute much offensively, with players like Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill combining to shoot just 2-of-13 from the floor. Merrill went 1-of-5 from deep, while Jerome missed all four of his three-point attempts. Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro were also quiet, scoring a combined one point. Despite the bench struggles, the starters' strong play led Cleveland to a 126-point total with a +22 team plus-minus. Overall, the Cavs gave an astounding performance in Game 3. Indiana Pacers: Box score and player stats Player POS MIN FGM FGA FG% 3 PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS +/- Aaron Nesmith F 27:29:00 3 7 42.9 1 4 25 0 0 0 1 6 7 1 0 2 0 4 7 -29 Pascal Siakam F 27:36:00 8 14 57.1 1 4 25 1 3 33.3 2 2 4 3 0 0 1 2 18 -14 Myles Turner C 25:33:00 4 7 57.1 1 2 50 6 8 75 0 3 3 0 1 3 1 5 15 -26 Andrew Nembhard G 25:30:00 4 9 44.4 2 4 50 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 1 1 3 4 10 -32 Tyrese Haliburton G 30:00:00 2 8 25 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 3 2 4 -20 T.J. McConnell 21:09 4 9 44.4 0 0 0 4 4 100 1 5 6 7 0 0 1 0 12 8 Obi Toppin 19:20 1 7 14.3 0 4 0 3 4 75 0 2 2 5 0 0 0 3 5 -3 Bennedict Mathurin 2:53 6 11 54.5 3 8 37.5 8 9 88.9 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 4 23 -7 Thomas Bryant 14:32 1 2 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 0 2 2 2 1 Ben Sheppard 5:53 1 1 100 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 James Johnson 5:03 1 1 100 0 0 0 1 2 50 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 3 3 2 Jarace Walker 4:26 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 4 50 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 3 Johnny Murphy 3:44 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 Tony Bradley 2:52 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 TOTALS 35 80 43.8 9 30 30 25 34 73.5 4 33 37 26 6 8 13 29 104 -22 Indiana Pacers game summary The Indiana Pacers struggled to find their rhythm in this game, finishing with a 104-point total and a team shooting percentage of 43.8%. Bennedict Mathurin led the way with 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-8 from deep and a solid 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Despite his scoring efforts, he only grabbed one rebound and didn't contribute much on defense or playmaking. Pascal Siakam added 18 points with a strong 57.1% field goal percentage, but his three-point shooting remained cold at just 25%. He also had four rebounds and three assists in under 28 minutes of action. Tyrese Haliburton had an off night offensively, going just 2-of-8 from the field and missing his only three-point attempt. He didn't score from the line either and failed to register a single rebound, though he did have five assists with just 4 points in 30 minutes. Andrew Nembhard scored 10 points and added four rebounds and four assists, but his three turnovers hurt the team's flow. Myles Turner contributed 15 points and was efficient with 57.1% shooting. He added three blocks but had only three rebounds and fouled out with five personals. T.J. McConnell provided a spark off the bench with 12 points and seven assists in just 21 minutes. He made all four of his free throws and finished with a +8, one of the few players in the positive for plus-minus. Obi Toppin struggled from the floor, making only one of seven shots, while Thomas Bryant and the rest of the bench had limited impact. James Johnson and Ben Sheppard each chipped in three points, and rookie Jarace Walker had two points despite going 0-of-2 from the field. Also Read: 'Why so serious?' – Nikola Jokic turns heads dressing like Joker ahead of game 3 against Oklahoma City Thunder Overall, Indiana shot just 30% from beyond the arc and committed 13 turnovers. The team also gave up 29 personal fouls, which put added pressure on their defense. Despite some solid individual numbers, the Pacers couldn't find consistency, and many of their starters finished with heavy negative plus-minus ratings. The team's total of only four offensive rebounds also pointed to a lack of second-chance opportunities.
