Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers tied the record for the best start in franchise history with a 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Mitchell led a balanced attack while Jarrett Allen contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds, Caris LeVert scored 16 points, Evan Mobley scored 15 points, Darius Garland scored 14 points and Ty Jerome scored 11 points, the best start in the team’s 53 seasons.

Zion Willaimson scored 29 points, Jose Alvarado 24, Brandon Ingram 20, Brandon Boston Jr. 14, Javonte Green added 11 and Yves Missi 10 to lead the Pelicans.

Allen and Mobley each had four points and Garland and Mitchell each made a 3-pointer as the Cavs used a 16-4 run to break a 59-point halftime tie.

The Pelicans closed to within seven points before Garland made two 3-pointers and Sam Merrill made one to help Cleveland take a 97-81 lead. New Orleans cut the lead to 99-88 at the end of the third quarter.

Georges Niang’s basket started the fourth quarter with the score tied before Williamson scored six and Boston scored five to bring the Pelicans within five points.

The Cavs pushed the lead back to 12, but Alvarado scored three consecutive points to cut the lead to 112-106 midway through the period.

Mitchell and Allen responded with back-to-back baskets and the lead never shrunk to less than six points.

Cleveland scored the first eight points before Alvarado hit two 3-pointers to give New Orleans its first lead at 16-14.

The lead changed four more times before six Pelicans scored, helping them extend the lead to 32-21.

LeVert scored four of the Cavs’ last eight points and they cut the lead to 34-29 at the end of the quarter.

Green made a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the second quarter before Cleveland got within three points. The teams went into halftime tied at 59 points.

–Field level media