Cavs rally past Nets to claim Central title, win 15th straight

CLEVELAND — For the Cavs, it’s been a year to make history. And history they have made again.

For the first time since 1975-76, the Cavs are Central Division champs without LeBron James on the team. It’s also their second Central title without LeBron — period.

Oh, and for the second time this season, the Cavs are riding a 15-game win streak. All are courtesy of their 109-104 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

That moved their record to 55-10, best in the Eastern Conference and best in the NBA. This one came without Donovan Mitchell (groin), De’Andre Hunter (illness) and Ty Jerome (rest). And boy oh boy, it did not come easily. 

In fact, the Cavs once trailed the Nets by 18 points. They lacked energy. They lacked shotmaking. They lacked too much.

Then, as they often do, they came to life when it mattered most, with Craig Porter Jr. ending the third quarter with a halfcourt buzzer-beater. After that, Darius Garland went on a tear to start the fourth — scoring 10 points in a 4:06 span.

Garland had 18 in the fourth and 30 overall. Jarrett Allen was also incredible with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Evan Mobley tacked on 21 on 9-of-13 shooting.

Anyway, I’ll have everything that took place in this crazy one coming later in Dribbles. But for now, just know the Cavs are Central Division champions. It’s official. 

Another feather in their cap in a season that’s been full of them. And at this rate, there will be plenty more to come.

For the record, here are the Cavs’ Central Division titles: 1975–76, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18. And, of course, 2024-25.