Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen (31) is greeted by Donovan Mitchell, proper, through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets in Cleveland, Sunday, Nov 17, 2024. Mitchell didn’t play within the recreation. (AP Photograph/Phil Lengthy)
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers will put their excellent begin on the road within the excellent place.
“Boston Backyard,” stated Cleveland first-year coach Kenny Atkinson, who has but to lose in his new job. “What’s higher than that?”
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As NBA video games in November go, not a lot.
READ: NBA: Cavaliers fourth staff to begin 15-0 with win over Hornets
Unbeaten via 15 video games after defeating Charlotte 128-114 on Sunday evening, Cleveland will attempt to change into simply the second staff to go 16-0 on Tuesday when it visits the defending champion Celtics, who bounced the Cavs from the playoffs final season.
“It’s nice for the NBA, proper?” stated Atkinson, the one coach to win his 15 video games with a brand new staff. “Everyone goes to be watching, and I do know our guys are anxious. I do know they keep in mind final 12 months. We’re going effectively. They’re going effectively. It’s nice for the league. Nice for our franchise. We’re excited.”
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Regardless of resting All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in opposition to the Hornets, the Cavs adopted a well-recognized components in becoming a member of the Golden State Warriors (2015-16), Houston Rockets (1993-94) and Washington Capitols (1948-49) as the one groups to open 15-0.
Darius Garland scored 25 factors, Ty Jerome added 24 whereas beginning in Mitchell’s spot and the Cavs obtained a mixed 44 factors and 26 rebounds from ahead Evan Mobley and middle Jarrett Allen to carry off the Hornets.
In addition they prolonged the longest profitable streak in staff historical past and have given Cleveland sports activities followers one thing to be enthusiastic about within the midst of a soccer season that crashed way back for the Browns.
“It’s unbelievable,” Allen stated of how the town is embracing the Cavs. “Everyone seems to be displaying tons of power, everywhere in the metropolis. It’s unbelievable how Cleveland has adopted us. They arrive to each recreation, yelling for every part. Town of Cleveland has our backs.”
As has been the case in nearly each recreation, the Cavs obtained optimistic minutes and moments from everybody Atkinson placed on the ground. In addition they overcame some adversity as each Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade have been compelled out within the second half with ankle accidents.
READ: NBA: Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beating 3 lifts Celtics previous Raptors in OT
Wade, who has made seven begins, left Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in a strolling boot. Atkinson doesn’t know if Wade or Okoro will probably be obtainable in opposition to the Celtics, however Mitchell must be again after lacking his first recreation — a deliberate absence.
Mitchell didn’t play within the last two video games of final 12 months’s Jap Convention semifinals, when the Cavs have been eradicated in 5 video games by the Celtics, who went on to win one other championship.
Allen missed that whole Boston collection with a damaged rib and stated he and his teammates are trying ahead to seeing how they measure up with the Celtics now.
“It’s a rematch,” Allen stated. “I do know they didn’t have some gamers. And we didn’t have me, so I wish to try to beat them and take a look at the place we’re with them.”
Atkinson feels the identical means. If the Cavs have title aspirations, this an opportunity for them to see in the event that they’re actual.
“It’s going to be a terrific take a look at for us,” he stated. “They clearly play a special model, five-out with 5 shooters so it’s going to be an actual good take a look at for us. We’re at that time proper now — 15-0 and let’s take a look at ourselves in opposition to the most effective and see the place we stand and see the place we’re going to make changes or not make changes.
“It truly comes on the excellent time.”
