The Cavaliers It joined illustrious company after beating Charlotte on Sunday, becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to open a season with 15 consecutive wins Jenna West and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. The other three teams were the Washington Capitols (15-0 1948-49), the Rockets (15-0 1993-94) and the Warriors (24-0 15-16).
Darius Garland (25 points, 12, five assists), Ty Jerome (24 points, eight assists), Evan Mobley (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Jarrett Allen (21 points, 15 rebounds) led a balanced attack for Cleveland, which won by 14 points despite playing without a star guard Donovan Mitchellwho was resting. As Lloyd notes, the Cavs have the best offensive rating in the league and have scored at least 130 points six times, a franchise record; They almost achieved that feat again on Sunday, finishing with 128 points.
The Cavs face their biggest test of the season on Tuesday in Boston against the defending champion Celtics, who are 11-3 and in second place in the East.
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- Head coach Kenny Atkinson wrote Jerome a compliment after the game on Sunday Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “He is one of our best players at the momentAtkinson said. “It's always nice to have another ball handler out there so DG doesn't get tired.” For his part, Jerome said the win was a byproduct of the team's strength. “Simply a strong, complete teamsaid Jerome. “Kenny said after the game: “We're going one to 18 and we're 18 deep.” We're proud of that.” The 27-year-old guard, who missed just two games last season due to an ankle injury, will be a free agent next summer.
- Although their 15-0 start was remarkable, Atkinson said he was unhappy with the defense's performance of late Fedor from Cleveland.com. The Cavs gave up 73 first-half points – and 126 total – in Friday's win over Chicago, then 114 to Charlotte on Sunday.
- ESPN's Brian Windhorst takes an in-depth look at how the Cavs' offseason plans have largely paid off heading into the 24-25 season. Atkinson, who was hired as a replacement at the end of June JB BickerstaffHe made some changes, especially on offense, and was “fully supported” by the team’s star players, Windhorst writes. “That's rareAtkinson said. “We just have this incredible chemistry and incredible understanding and respect for each other. It's beautiful to look at.”
