Final Score: Cavs fall 140-124 vs. Pelicans in first game of road trip

A change of scenery apparently isn’t what the Cavs need to pick up a win.

On Wednesday night in New Orleans, in the first game of the team’s season-long road trip, the Cavs lost to the Pelicans 140-124. The loss, Cleveland’s 11th in a row, happened despite the team leading by as many as 16 points in the first half and by four at the half.

Jordan Clarkson led the Cavs with 21 points and Matthew Dellavedova added 17 points and seven assists after missing Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers with a left foot sprain. Pelicans forward Anthony David led all scorers with 38 points.

The first half was a high point for the Cavs as they started the game with eight three-pointers made in the first quarter — a season high. But towards the end of the first half, the Pelicans asserted themselves into the game and slowly chipped away at the Cavs’ lead before getting close at the half. By the end of the third quarter, New Orleans led by nine and was in full control. By the time the game was done, the Pelicans were scoring with ease.

New Orleans’ 140 points are also a new season high given up by Cleveland’s historically bad defense. The previous high mark (or low mark, depending on your point of view) was 133 points given up to the Hawks on Oct. 21.

The Cavs next play on Friday against James Harden and the Rockets in Houston. Cleveland will likely give up a lot of points again. Tipoff is at 8 p.m.