Dribbles: For The Ninth Straight Time, Yes, Cavs Win, And They Indeed Celebrated After

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 131-122 road win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. …

1. Ladies and gentlemen, you just witnessed Cleveland Cavaliers history. For the first time in the 54 years of the franchise, they’re 9-0.

2. They also won each of their first five road games for the first time.

3. But wait. There’s more. Kenny Atkinson is the first coach in NBA history to have won each of his first nine games with a new team.

4. Look, Atkinson himself has stressed that there’s a long way to go. And there is. A long, long way. But what great fun it’s been so far.

5. Atkinson to reporters: “We celebrated in (the locker room). They dumped a lot of water on my head. The season is so long. So when you do have those moments, yeah, you have to celebrate a little.”

6. Yes you do. Everyone sure plays it up when bad things happen, right? So why not thoroughly enjoy perfection? And 9-0 is as perfect as it’s ever been in the world of Cleveland pro hoops.

7. The Cavs did it just like they’ve done all season — as a team in the truest sense of the word. Passing, cutting, finding the open man, getting key stops. Utter selflessness. If “hero ball” was ever a thing with this team, it sure is dead at the moment.

8. More Atkinson: “Once again, everyone contributed, and we played 10 guys. That’s what good teams do. We’re in a good place physically and mentally right now.”

9. It cannot be stressed how willing this team has been to make the extra pass. What we’ve learned is that everyone still gets their shots. That mindset starts with the leaders on this team, Atkinson said. He should know. He’s one of them.

10. When Atkinson started to add to the reasons why things are going so well, he said he’s accustomed to naming one or two players. He couldn’t do that this time. “You could go right down the roster,” he said. “When you go 9-0, it’s not just two guys. It’s the whole (team).”

11. The Cavs looked a little shaky in the first half. The Pelicans (3-6) had a lot to do with that, as they entered the night having lost two straight at home. So they were extra determined. 

12. Then came the third quarter, and the Cavs could seemingly do no wrong, protecting the basket on defense, getting out and running on offense, filling lanes and finishing, knocking down 3-pointers. I think that’s what we have coined a “Cavalanche” in the past. Whatever you want to call it, it’s been a staple of this team — massive momentum-swinging runs.

13. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 29 points, including two straight and-one drives to seal the deal late. Jarrett Allen was a monster near the basket, adding 16 points and 14 rebounds. He was tireless.

14. Caris LeVert returned from a two-game absence to add 16 vital points in reserve. Evan Mobley went for 15 points, nine boards and three big swats. Darius Garland threw in 14 points, nine assists and went 4-of-6 shooting on threes.

15. And yes, there’s more. Ty Jerome scored 11, and man, he threw some nifty passes that led to easy buckets. Sam Merrill scored nine, making a three at pretty much the exact moment the Cavs needed something. Georges Niang also had nine and hustled his buns off. He is the “connector” on offense, as Atkinson likes to say. Isaac Okoro scored seven on 3-of-3 shooting.

16. Zion Williamson returned from a hamstring injury to lead the short-handed Pelicans with 29 points. Cavs-killer Jose Alvarado erupted for 27 to give New Orleans a fighting chance at the end. Brandon Ingram added 20.

16. Next up for the Cavs: The surprising Golden State Warriors, who are 7-1 after topping the reigning champion Celtics in Boston on Wednesday. That game is Friday night in Cleveland. Oh boy.

17. Atkinson with the final word: “Good road win. We still have some things to clean up. It wasn’t a perfect game defensively. But I thought offensively, we really shared the ball.”

18. And everyone who cares about Cavaliers basketball gave a hearty amen.

• BOX SCORE | Cavs 131, Pelicans 122
• More Cavaliers | All coverage from Hoops Wire

This is how Cavs have been winning. Great defense at rim. Getting out and running. Filling lanes. And check out the pass by their 7-footer on the break. pic.twitter.com/WustNetnJK

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) November 7, 2024