Dribbles: Cavs Use Every Last Ounce Of Everything They Had, Remain Perfect To Match Franchise Mark

November 4, 2024

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ thriller of a 116-114 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. …

1. It was the Cavs’ worst game of the early season. Also, they’re 8-0.

2. Coach Kenny Atkinson called it a “mental fortitude” win. And when you consider how the Cavs went about it — man, the coach got that one right.

3. With 8:09 left in the game, the Cavs had blown a 19-point first-half lead and trailed by seven (101-94). They couldn’t buy a bucket. They couldn’t get a rebound. They couldn’t make a key defensive stand.

4. Translation: This looked a lot like the night on which the streak would end.

5. But it didn’t.

6. Somehow, someway … well, you almost can’t even explain it. The Cavs just keep finding ways to win, and even when every last moment seems lost.

7. More Atkinson: “That was our eighth game in 13 days. We just didn’t have it. But from a mental toughness (standpoint), we got it done.”

8. Now, this team will forever go down in Cavaliers lore — having matched the 1976-77 squad for eight straight wins to start a season. They’re the only two Cleveland teams to have done it.

9. Darius Garland was simply masterful, and you can make the case that this was his best game as a pro. He erupted for 39 points on 15-of-22 shooting, including 7-of-11 on 3-pointers, with eight assists. “And just two turnovers,” Atkinson was quick to point out.

10. Garland said the players do appreciate 8-0, while also acknowledging “there’s a long way to go.” As in 74 more. “It’s hard to get one,” Garland said. “Eight in a row is crazy.”

11. For a long stretch there in the fourth quarter, it was easy to just sit there and think, “The Bucks (1-6) don’t even have Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cavs are at home. This is how the streak is going to end?”

12. But it didn’t.

13. Atkinson admittedly felt about as restless as the rest of Cavs Nation — as the Bucks seemed to do no wrong, the Cavs very little right. “Man, you’re just sitting there (as the coach),” he said. “There’s not a whole lot you can do.”

14. But these Cavs are clearly different. “There’s a quiet confidence with this team,” Atkinson said. “There’s a humility, but they also know they’re good.”

15. The Cavs trailed by a 106-98 count with about 6 minutes left. Four minutes later, they led 108-106, thanks to a 10-0 run capped by a Garland drive.

16. Then Bucks star Damian Lillard hit a midrange jumper … then a massive three … to put Milwaukee back on top (111-108). Another Garland drive cut the deficit to one with a minute to go.

17. That’s when Atkinson decided to have Garland and Donovan Mitchell blitz Lillard at halfcourt. Lillard seemed to be caught off guard. The result was an over-and-back violation. Cavs ball.

18. Garland wasn’t finished. He buried another three with 45 seconds left. Lillard came down and missed a three. Then Garland found Jarrett Allen, who cut to the hoop and flipped it in off the backboard. The Cavs led by four with 12.2 seconds to go.

19. Ballgame, barring a catastrophe.

20. Oh, and Allen swatted away a potential meltdown — and a Lillard drive — with time running down and the Bucks trying to make one last gasp of a run.

21. This, folks, is how you go 8-0. It’s not always pretty. It’s not blowing out a team missing its best player. It’s not highlight-reel dunks or social media proclamations. It’s getting it done when your legs are tired and your body won’t listen to what your mind is telling it to do. That’s been these Cavs so far.

22. Evan Mobley added 17 points and three big blocks. Allen went for 14 points and 15 massive rebounds. And leading scorer Donovan Mitchell struggled a bit, scoring 14 on just 5-of-15 shooting.

23. But afterward, Mitchell wore the smile of a man who had just scored 45. “It just shows the belief we have in each other,” he said, adding his goal was to make sure Garland kept getting the ball late in the game.

22. Sam Merrill tacked on 12 points and five rebounds, and the Cavaliers’ depth again proved to be a big plus, even with the likes of Dean Wade (illness) and Caris LeVert (knee soreness) sidelined. Georges Niang added nine points, Ty Jerome scored six and Isaac Okoro had five. But as usual, everyone contributed way beyond what the box score will say.

23. It looks like it’s just gonna be one of those seasons for the Bucks (1-6). Lillard again led the way and gave them a fighting chance, erupting for 36. A.J. Green came off the bench to hit 7-of-9 threes to score 21.

24. I’m not sure even Bucks coach Doc Rivers knew who Green was before this game. But man, the Cavs sure are glad they don’t have to see the guy again for a while. Anyway, Bobby Portis also scored 21.

25. The Cavaliers are back at it on Wednesday with a visit to New Orleans. “It’s really difficult to start 8-0 in this league,” Atkinson concluded. “We’ll celebrate it tomorrow. But we know the big picture and what’s to come.”