The Cleveland Cavaliers celebrated a historic achievement on Sunday night by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 128-114, marking their 15th consecutive win. This accomplishment ties them with the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and the 1948-49 Washington Capitols for the best start in NBA history. Only the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors began a season with more wins.
Despite the victory, the game raised some concerns, particularly regarding the team’s defense, especially with star player Donovan Mitchell absent from the lineup. Darius Garland and Ty Jerome stepped up during crucial moments in the fourth quarter, providing the necessary scoring to keep the winning streak alive. However, Kenny Atkinson, the team’s coach, acknowledged the need for improvement on the defensive end, as the Cavaliers allowed opponents to shoot 39% from beyond the arc in the last week, leaving Cleveland with a defensive rating of 112, ranking 15th in the league during that period.
Atkinson pointed out the importance of contesting shots, particularly three-pointers, and stressed that a lack of effort in this area could lead to losses. The Cavaliers have been known for their offensive prowess, and they demonstrated this again, scoring 72 points in the first half — the sixth time this season they surpassed 70 points in a half, a feat they only matched nine times last year.
Cleveland’s shooting remains impressive, with the team hitting 43.3% of their three-point attempts on Sunday. Jerome and Georges Niang capitalized on this shooting success, combining for 7 of 14 from deep. Their ball movement and effective play around the basket, highlighted by players like Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, were pivotal in their victory. Allen contributed significantly with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Mobley supported with 23 points and 11 boards.
Garland led the offensive charge, contributing 25 points and 12 assists, while Jerome added 24 points and 8 assists, showcasing effective playmaking abilities that enabled the Cavaliers to exploit the Hornets’ defensive lapses.
However, the game also brought some adverse news, as both Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade suffered left ankle sprains, potentially impacting the Cavaliers’ upcoming matchup against the Boston Celtics. As the team prepares for this challenge, a stronger defensive effort will be essential to maintain their remarkable winning streak.
Overall, while the Cavaliers continue to shine offensively, their upcoming games will test their ability to improve defensively and navigate through the challenges of injuries to key players as they strive to extend their unprecedented start to the season.