Dribbles: More Of Same Great Stuff, As Cavs Buzz By Hornets, Extend Win Streak To 10

January 5, 2025

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 115-105 fairly easy home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. …

1. Ten straight wins. All by double digits. And the Cavs (31-4) didn’t really play as well as they normally do in this one. At least, their 41.8 percent shooting was way below their normal mark.

2. Didn’t matter. They’re just far superior to the Hornets (7-27), and most other teams for that matter. And despite playing something less than their best, they still led by 24 and were never actually threatened.

3. Defensively, they were dynamite. That’s just the way it goes with this version of the Cavaliers. It’s been like this all season. They’ll beat you any number of ways, so go ahead and take your pick. Just understand what’s probably coming.

4. As you know, the Cavs are also incredibly balanced. Darius Garland led the way with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting (4-of-7 on 3-pointers). Donovan Mitchell went for 19, including 17 in the second half. Jarrett Allen also had 19, barely missing just one of his 10 attempts and collecting 11 rebounds. Evan Mobley scored 17.

5. They just come at you in waves and from so many different angles. I know. You’ve read this story before. That’s because it’s the story the Cavs keep writing.

6. While the Hornets stink, this still could’ve been considered one of those “trap” games. The Cavs returned home after a 4-0 trip through the West. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who have won 15 straight, are in town next. But the Cavs took care of business here. They didn’t get distracted.

7. Coach Kenny Atkinson on the win: “It’s our maturity, it’s our focus. I was pleased to see how we reacted. We didn’t make shots like we usually do …” but the defense helped overcome all that.

8. But wait. There’s more. Georges Niang recorded 10 points and offered his usual dose of hustle and physical play. Max Strus had nine and was a plus-24. Ty Jerome added nine. Caris LeVert passed for a game-high six assists.

9. All this, and Cleveland has barely gotten any mention nationally. It’s incredibly odd. But, you know, whatever.

10. Garland on that very topic: “Don’t know why. Wish I knew the answer to that. The group that we have, the style of basketball that we play, we’re exciting … You’d think we’d be getting (more love nationally.).”

11. I tweeted out Garland’s quote. Niang reposted it with a few words of his own. “If nobody is gunna say it I will!” he wrote of Garland. “BEST POINT GUARD IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW!!”

12. And Cavaliers fans everywhere gave a hearty amen.

13. Garland and Hornets star LaMelo Ball had a little one-on-one thing going on for parts of the game. Then Charlotte decided to start trapping Garland. It didn’t really slow him down.

14. Atkinson wasn’t bothered by the Garland-Ball battle. “It’s the NBA. Guys are competitive,” he said. “It didn’t get over the top. They’re both good-spirited guys.”

15. We can’t forget Dean Wade. His defense on the wing and focus on the little things have made him the perfect fit alongside the Core Four. “We came out with good energy and played like ourselves,” he said. “We weren’t making a lot of shots but our defensive intensity was good.”

16. Sounds like a guy who could write for Hoops Wire someday.

17. As for the national recognition … well, who really cares? It will come some enough. One thing’s for certain: People who love the Cavs sure love this particular team. “People enjoy watching how we play, how we move (the ball), how we share it,” Atkinson said.

18. So yes, OKC comes to town riding high after overcoming a double-digit deficit to beat Boston on Sunday. The Thunder (30-5) are just one game behind the Cavs in the overall NBA standings. As far as regular-season games go, this one is pretty cool. Wednesday night. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Be there.

If nobody is gunna say it I will ! BEST POINT GUARD IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW !! https://t.co/P9SOkwqpzp

— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) January 6, 2025