Cavs Get Tested, Somewhat Surprisingly, Then Pass

December 24, 2024

The Cavaliers got exactly what they wanted on Monday night — a real test, and this one from an unexpected foe.

In a pre-Christmas matchup with a depleted Utah Jazz squad, Cleveland held off a late charge to secure a 124-113 victory at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, extending its NBA-best record to 26-4.

After their dominant win over Philadelphia on Saturday, the Cavs’ locker room buzzed with talk of wanting more competitive games, the kind that prepare a team for what’s to come in the spring. They got one Monday night.

Despite entering as 14-point favorites, the Cavs faced a tougher battle than expected. The Jazz, led by former Cavs guard Collin Sexton, trimmed Cleveland’s lead to just three points with 1:49 remaining, making it clear this game wasn’t going to be a blowout.

But the Cavs responded when it mattered most, closing the game with a 6-0 run that helped seal the win.

“We need games like that,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That’s going to be the playoffs. Rarely are you blowing people out by 20. You start reaching into your strategy bag, which we haven’t had to do a lot because of our margin of victory. That was good practice for us.”

Donovan Mitchell echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“Winning by double digits is nice, but these moments are what excite me,” he said. “Those are the reps that help us continue to build.”

The Cavs’ defense was crucial down the stretch, holding the Jazz scoreless in the final 1:48. They won the crunch-time minutes 9-2, showcasing their ability to execute in high-pressure situations.

In a night filled with unexpected delays — a rim malfunction pushed back tipoff by more than 30 minutes — the Cavs kept their focus. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley played catch with fans, and Jarrett Allen entertained the crowd with his best Moondog impersonation, nailing a backward, half-court shot to get the fans roaring. It was a lighthearted beginning in an otherwise tense game.

Despite the win, Utah made it clear they can’t be overlooked. Ex-Cavs guard Jordan Clarkson scored 27 points off the bench, and Lauri Markkanen added 26, while Sexton contributed 24.