Even when it’s obvious that Darius Garland is going to take the clutch fourth-quarter shot, the defense still can’t prevent the inevitable. The New Orleans Pelicans remained in striking distance until the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star guard dashed their hopes, calmly crossing halfcourt and pulling up for a dagger 32-footer with 48.1 seconds to play despite two defenders flanking him. Garland scored 25 of his game-high 30 points in the second half while also adding six rebounds, 11 assists and five treys in Cleveland’s 113-103 victory on January 16, 2023. · Jan 16, 2023