Dribbles: Cavs Hit Another Unbeaten Milestone, With Biggest Test Yet On Horizon

November 17, 2024

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 128-114 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. ..

1. The Cavs (15-0) are undefeated on the season and undefeated without Donovan Mitchell (1-0). They’re undefeated in any set of uniforms and at home or on the road.

2. No matter how you spin it, the Cavs just can’t lose. Fifteen games, 15 wins, and practically 15 different ways of going about it.

3. On this night, it was with Ty Jerome filling in for Mitchell, who sat out to rest. Jerome went out and put up some Mitchell-like numbers, tying a career-high with 24 points and passing for eight assists.

4. But not surprisingly, Jerome was hardly alone. Darius Garland scored 25 with 12 assists, including nine in the first half. That also tied a career-high (for an opening half).

5. That’s just the backcourt. Up front, Evan Mobley compiled 23 points, on 9-of-12 shooting, and 11 rebounds. Jarrett Allen scored 21 on 6-of-7 from the floor and a game-high 15 boards. So it’s safe to say the Cavs really capitalized on their size advantage.

6. All the while, Mitchell cheered wildly from the bench. In the event you were wondering how he contributed. But yes, he did, as he seemed to offer moral support to coach Kenny Atkinson‘s strategy.

7. Along the way, the Cavs lost Isaac Okoro (left ankle) and Dean Wade (ditto), though neither injury is considered overly serious. At least, it wasn’t right after the game.

8. Okoro looked just fine walking around the locker room after the game. Wade was in a walking boot and was slightly limping — though he looked determined to stay in the game after the injury occurred.

9. Atkinson on the win: “We had five rotation guys out if you think about it (including Max Strus and Sam Merrill). … We’re just a deep team. Everyone can pretty much shoot it, too.”

10. Atkinson speaks the truth, as the Cavs again shot better than 55 percent from the field (57.1, to be exact). It’s been a common occurrence this season. Georges Niang added 13 points off the bench.

11. Jerome described the Cavs this way: “Just a complete team. We kind of pride ourselves (on our depth).

12. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets (5-8) with a game-high 31 points, but it took him 29 shots to get there. Ball entered the night as the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer and as long as he’s healthy, the Hornets will have a chance most nights. But these are this year’s Cavs.

13. Speaking of, everyone turned their attention to the Boston Celtics almost immediately after the game. That’s because the Cavaliers face the defending champs in Boston as part of the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

14. Atkinson on that one: “Yeah, it’s gonna be a test for us. They play a different style with their five-out (offense). We’re at that point, 15-0, so let’s see where we stand against the best.”

15. Garland just sort of shrugged. “Same mindset,” he said. “Go in and win.”

16. The Cavs’ record may be perfect, but they know not everything is. There is still room to improve, even at 15-0. “There have been some slippage the past few games,” Jerome said, referring strictly to defense. “We want to learn and win for sure. But we definitely have to buckle down and get back to who we want to be defensively.”

17. As for the Celtics, Allen said it’s a “great test” and you “always want to test yourself against the best.”

18. Either way, the Cavaliers have now tied the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Capitols (coached by Red Auerbach) for second-best start in NBA history.

19. Allen on that topic: “It’s tough to be 15-0. Not many teams get to be in this position. I don’t want to say we’re surprised by it, I certainly think we’re capable. But it’s special.”

20. That’s just it. The Cavs and their fans are witnessing something they’ve never seen and may never again. Special? You’d better believe it.