Dribbles: Not always pretty, but Cavs close like contenders in James Harden debut

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 132-126 road win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

1. It was messy. It was awkward. It was uncomfortable at times. And it was still a win in James Harden’s Cavs debut. That’ll do.

2. Sacramento was shorthanded, young, and riding an 11-game losing streak. Then they played like it was Game 7. Credit to them. But also, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden happened.

3. And a whole lot of Jarrett Allen.

4. Harden found Allen early. And often. Pick-and-rolls. Cuts. Dump-offs. Tough passes in traffic. For Allen, life just got easier. Significantly easier.

5. Allen finished with 29 points on 11-of-12 shooting and 10 rebounds. That’s not an accident. That’s Harden gravity at work.

6. The Cavs’ starting lineup looked like five guys meeting each other in a hotel lobby for the first time. Defensive rotations were late. Rebounding was shaky. The offense was polite to a fault.

7. Mitchell and Harden clearly didn’t want to step on each other early. That led to some standing around and some empty possessions. It happens. This was night one.

8. The bench units saved them in the first half. Having one of Mitchell or Harden on the floor at all times mattered — a lot.

9. The Cavs led by two at halftime. Then promptly handed it back to the Kings to start the third. Again, not pretty.

10. Mitchell kept them afloat. Twelve points in the third when things felt like they were slipping.

11. Then came winning time. And that’s where the story changed.

12. Down seven with under 4 minutes left, the Cavs didn’t blink. Allen scores. Harden hits back-to-back threes. Suddenly, Cleveland’s up one and the building gets quiet.

13. DeMar DeRozan hit a huge three to tie it late. No panic. Mitchell forced a foul. Two free throws. Ballgame.

14. Mitchell and Harden combined for 32 of the Cavs’ 39 fourth-quarter points. That’s the partnership. That’s the bet.

15. Harden to FanDuel Sports Network: “I told Don just do what he do and I’ll be here to support him.”

16. Harden wasn’t perfect. He missed rotations. Looked unsure defensively. Took a bit to find his rhythm.

17. He still dropped 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, went 5-of-8 from three, and added eight assists. Fifteen of those points came in the fourth.

18. Mitchell was the best player on the floor. Thirty-five points. Seventeen in the fourth. Total control when it mattered.

19. But what actually stood out most? When the game tightened, there was no confusion anymore. There was clarity. Mitchell attacked. Harden spaced, handled, shot, and created. Allen finished everything.

20. That’s not chemistry yet. That’s talent figuring it out in real time.

21. The Cavs (32-21) have now won three straight and eight of nine. They’re 3-1 on this Western trip. They’re doing this without Evan Mobley and Max Strus. And also without Dean Wade (ankle) on Saturday.

22. Coach Kenny Atkinson is going to lose sleep over rotations soon, and he’ll be thrilled about it.

23. Everyone had their moments — from Jaylon Tyson to Craig Porter Jr. to Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder to the forever-energetic Thomas Byrant and Nae’Qwan Tomlin. Also, Sam Merrill got some good looks, perhaps better than ever. He just couldn’t knock them down. That too happens.

24. Harden had a hand in so much of what went right. “I’m just trying to find ways I can help them guys,” he said.

25. Next stop is Denver. Tough one. But if this is the floor with Harden, the ceiling just moved.

26. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t seamless. But it was real, and it was clutch.

27. Sometimes, that’s how new eras start.

Box Score | Cavs 132, Kings 126