Mitchell scores 29 and the Cavaliers beat the Pelicans 131-122 for their first 9-0 start

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 131-122 on Wednesday night to open 9-0 for the first time in their 55-year NBA history.

Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen each added 16 points, and Allen grabbed 14 rebounds as the Cavaliers surpassed an 8-0 start by the 1976-77 squad that finished 43-39 under coach Bill Fitch.

Zion Williamson returned from a two-game absence and had 29 points for the Pelicans. He temporarily took himself out after playing 10 minutes, but returned to start the second half and scored 23 after halftime.

Jose Alvarado hit all seven 3-pointers he took and finished with 27 points for New Orleans. Brandon Ingram added 20 points for the Pelicans, who have lost three straight and six of seven.

Cavaliers: Cleveland had no trouble rallying back from an early 12-point deficit on the road and did so in part by shooting 54.2% overall, including 48.6% from 3-point range.

Pelicans: The injury-depleted Pelicans played with effort but simply lacked the firepower needed to hang with the hottest team in the NBA for a full 48 minutes.

After Alvarado's back-to-back 3s made it 112-106, Mitchell responded with a hesitation move in the lane and a floater to make it 114-106 and stem the Pelicans' momentum with 5:20 left. Cleveland kept New Orleans at arm's length from then on.

Cleveland got 50 points from reserves, led by LeVert and Ty Jerome (11 points).

The Cavaliers play at home Friday against the Golden State Warriors, who own the best start in NBA history at 24-0 in 2015-16.

The Pelicans visit Orlando on Friday night.

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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green reacts to a call in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) leaps for a rebound over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) battles between New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) and guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 20 points before leaving in the third quarter with a right hamstring injury and the Memphis Grizzlies used their 3-point shooting to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 131-114 on Wednesday night.

Rookie Jaylen Wells and Jaren Jackson Jr. also scored 20 points each for the Grizzlies. There was no immediate word on the extent of Morant's injury.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 39 points, while Austin Reaves added 19 despite going 2 for 9 from 3-point range.

The Lakers played without starting center Anthony Davis, who was suffering from left heel soreness. Rui Hachimura was also out with an illness, givig rookie Dalton Knect from Tennessee his first NBA start.

Meanwhile, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins missed the game because of a death in the family. Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo led the team.

Lakers: With Davis out, Los Angeles was missing 32.6 points and 11.6 rebounds a game and a dominant force in the middle. James tried to make up for the scoring but got little help.

Grizzlies: Davis' absence in the middle helped the Grizzlies stay right at their average scoring 60 points in the paint.

Memphis held a 72-68 lead in the third quarter when reserve Jay Huff, a 7-foot-1 center, connected on three consecutive 3-pointers, then capped the run off with an offensive rebound leading to a reverse dunk. The rally took the Grizzlies' advantage to 85-71.

Neither team attempts a lot of 3-pointers compared to the rest of the league, but Memphis was shooting 48% from outside the arc at the midway point of the fourth period. Meanwhile, the Lakers were stuck at 25%.

Lakers host Philadelphia on Friday while the Grizzlies host Washington,.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) shoots defended by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7), of Spain, shoots defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles the ball defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks to pass defended by Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)