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Atkinson said Tuesday the Strus-specific plan over the next month is to steadily and slowly build up his minutes. The hope is to get him into the higher-20s by mid-April — a number that helps spotlight Strus’ substantial role. “He’s just Max,”: Merrill said. “He’s one of those guys, whether he is making or missing shots, he’s impacting the game. I know he is working his way back into it but he’s going to be really important for us.”
However, he entered the league at 23 after a standout college career at Utah State, where he was one of the best shooters of his generation. Still, his path to the NBA was not easy and was marked by his two-year mission in Nicaragua before his freshman year, during which he experienced a traumatic incident. “A guy comes up to us, and he’s like, ‘Give me your phone.’ We had those $10 phones, and they said if they ask for it, just give it to them, so I gave him the phone. I was the only one that had a phone, so the guy walked away. As this is happening, and I didn’t see this, the guy grabs this big rock and throws it right to my face, hits me right in my mouth,” Merrill recalled on “The Old Man and the Three” podcast. “So I didn’t see this coming, so immediately there was blood everywhere. There are people around, and they start yelling. We call our leaders, they come get us, they take me to the hospital, and I ended up getting two teeth replaced. I had to do like six months of dental work right there,” Merrill added.
Danny Cunningham: #Cavs beat the Wizards 138-113 to head off to the All-Star break as winners of five straight. Sam Merrill had a career-high 32 points, Donovan Mitchell had 30, Jarrett Allen had 21 and James Harden had 13 points and 11 assists in his home debut.
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Among players attempting five or more three-pointers per game, Christie ranks inside the league’s top tier in three-point percentage. He is shooting 44.3%, placing him in the same efficiency range as several established perimeter threats, including Jamal Murray (45.1%), Sam Merrill (45.5%), and Miles McBride (43.4%).
Austin Krell: Joel Embiid and Paul George are PROBABLE for tomorrow vs Cleveland. Dominick Barlow QUESTIONABLE (back contusion) Darius Garland (toe), Sam Merrill (hand sprain) have been added to Cleveland’s injury report and are OUT.
Tim Bontemps: Final: Cavs 133, Sixers 107 Really impressive performance for Cleveland — and a very flat one from Philly — as the Cavs bounce back from their rough showing against Utah Monday. The focus now, though, will be on the health of Darius Garland and Sam Merrill.
Chris Fedor: Signs look good for #Cavs Sam Merrill (ankle) to play today against Detroit.
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Danny Cunningham: Kenny Atkinson says that Dean Wade and Sam Merrill are both going to try it pregame but also noted that it’s a quick turnaround between now and Sunday afternoon’s game against Detroit.
Duane Rankin: UPDATED Suns-Cavs injury report: Cavs: Sam Merrill (left hip soreness) IN De'Andre Hunter (illness) OUT #Suns #Cavs
Danny Cunningham: #Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said that Sam Merrill is progressing through his recovery. He's been doing a lot of shooting but still has not yet gone through contact.
