NEW ORLEANS — The Cavs saved their best for last. Cleveland punctuated a perfect road trip with a 111-106 comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night inside Smoothie King Center. Cleveland went 3-0 on this three-city trek.

The heavily favored Cavs held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Chicago Bulls, avoiding a crushing collapse and escaping with a 115-110 victory.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got back in the win column after losing to Mavericks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs will embark on a three-game road swing without a key member of their starting lineup and two depth pieces, a situation that could reshape a tight Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell missed the Cavaliers' game Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls because of a bruised left eye. Mitchell was hurt in a collision in practice with Evan Mobley. The seven-time All-Star played through the injury in Cleveland’s victory at Milwaukee on Tuesday night and finished with 19 points on 4-for-14 shooting.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) shoots as Dallas Mavericks guard John Poulakidas, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) talks with Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) after their NBA basketball game in Cleveland,

The Cavs are 12-4 with him in the lineup. He’s averaging 21 points, 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 49% from the field (45% on 3-pointers). The Cavs have outscored the opposition by 80 points with Harden on the floor. Those are excellent plus/minus numbers in only 16 games.

With a deep wing rotation, the Cavs have managed Strus' absence perfectly fine. However, no player has stepped up more than second-year wing Jaylon Tyson. Despite this, Kenny Atkinson seems primed to close games (and perhaps start games too with Strus),