Dribbles: Cavs Rise At Just The Right Time, Winning Streak Hits 13 By A Whisker

March 7, 2025

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 118-117 nailbiter of a road win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. …

1. Well, that’s one way to almost blow a 12-game winning streak. But the Cavs are so good right now that they can’t even lose when they try. At least not to the Hornets.

2. With 5:39 to go, the Cavs trailed by a 104-95 count. It was easy to start thinking, “Uh oh.” That said, anyone who knows these Cavs knew they would likely win.

3. And win they did, as a 19-6 run followed that nine-point deficit. Call it a mini-Cavalanche.

4. So make it 13 in a row as the Cavs (53-10) continue to roll — as owners of the NBA’s best record and longest winning streak.

5. So much happened in those final five minutes that’s hard to know the real turning point. Evan Mobley‘s critical pull-up 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring sure didn’t hurt. That came with 2:16 to go and tied it at 106-all.

6. The Cavs would never trail again. Moments after that massive Mobley bucket, Darius Garland hit a pair of free throws. He buried two more about 30 seconds after that. But Charlotte kept pace with free throws and a basket of its own.

7. Then came another turning point. It came via trade-deadline acquisition De’Andre Hunter. He rebounded a Donovan Mitchell missed three and powered it into the basket. Wow. That gave the Cavaliers a 112-110 lead with 43 seconds to go.

8. On the very next possession, Hunter forced Hornets forward Miles Bridges into a turnover. Cavs ball. 21.6 seconds to go. And the free throw contest was underway.

9. Mitchell made six straight to keep the Hornets at bay. But Bridges hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. He also made two free throws after referee Tony Brothers bailed him out with a call against Hunter on a lob.

10. No matter, the Cavs led 118-115 with 5.6 seconds to go after Mitchell swished two free throws. They then immediately fouled Bridges to keep Charlotte from trying a game-tying three.

11. It seemed as if Hornets coach Charles Lee wanted Bridges to miss the second foul shot after making the first. We don’t know if Bridges wanted to make it, but it went in anyway. Much like everything else he threw at the basket on this night.

12. So down by one, the Hornets had no choice but to foul Mitchell again. Stunningly, Mitchell MISSED BOTH. But with no timeouts, the Hornets grabbed the rebound, with Bridges receiving the outlet pass.

13. He took a couple of dribbles and let it fly from halfcourt. It appeared as if maybe he had more time to get a little closer to the basket. Who really knows? All that mattered from the Cavs’ standpoint was it was an airball and the clock had expired.

14. Whew. But honestly, the Cavs’ ability to come back on an otherwise off night is a real testament to everything we’ve been saying about them. They’re talented, deep, and more than anything, winners.

15. Coach Kenny Atkinson to reporters: “This is the NBA. Charlotte played great. … But our group stuck with it.”

16. That’s the Cavs for you. “We did all the little things to squeeze out that win,” Atkinson added. “It’s the find-a-way time of year. I don’t think we had great energy. It seemed like we were on half a tank, which can happen when you’ve won 12 in a row.”

17. By the way, Hunter has yet to lose in a Cavs uniform (11-0). “Yeah, I’m not trying to feel one,” he told FanDuel Sports Network.

18. Clearly. After all, he’s a big reason that the streak is still alive. “I’m just trying to win,” he said. “Whatever I can do … defense, offense … whatever I can do.”

19. Six Cavaliers reached double figures in scoring, led by Mitchell’s 24. Garland added 20, including 9-of-9 foul shooting. Mobley finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

20. Hunter went for 15 points off the bench and Jarrett Allen added 14 points and 11 big boards. Also, Sam Merrill had a nice night with 12 points on an icy 4-of-4 shooting on threes.

21. Bridges erupted for a whopping 46 points for the Hornets (14-48), who have now lost nine straight. Their only chance at a big win won’t come again until the NBA Draft lottery in May. Interestingly, their last victory came over the Lakers in Los Angeles. LaMelo Ball scored just 13 before fouling out in this one.

22. For the Cavaliers, it’s just a matter of surviving and picking up a few more wins before the playoffs. Even when they’re at something less than their best, they’ve been doing at least that much. And who’s having more fun along the way? Probably nobody.