Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell reacts after scoring through the first half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA — Amid the giggles and the discuss of historical past that stuffed the Cleveland Cavaliers’ locker room, Donovan Mitchell tried so as to add somewhat perspective in regards to the group’s 13-0 begin to the NBA season.
“We’re the hunted, but it surely’s additionally November,” Cleveland’s star ahead stated after he had 23 factors, 14 rebounds and 9 assists within the Cavaliers’ 114-106 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday night time. “Let’s calm down. You already know, I’m saying its November and we’re not successful a championship proper now. However these are good exams for us.”
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Cleveland turned the primary group since Golden State in 2015-16 to win 13 straight to start out a season. That Warriors group holds the file for many wins to start a season at 24 straight.
READ: NBA: Cavaliers stay excellent as 76ers can’t sustain
The Cavaliers are simply the sixth group in NBA/BAA historical past to start out 13-0. 4 of the earlier 5 groups went on to succeed in the championship spherical. It additionally tied Cleveland’s franchise file of 13 straight wins set three earlier instances — in 2009, 2010 and 2017 — all with LeBron James.
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“It’s an 82-game season and we’re solely 13 video games in,” stated guard Darius Garland, who led Cleveland with 25 factors of their newest win. “It’s lots of stuff that we’ve to scrub up. However it’s an excellent factor that we will have these wins as properly. It’s an excellent stability that we’ve proper now as a result of we all know that we will get rather a lot higher, despite the fact that we’re nonetheless undefeated.”
A part of the Cavaliers’ success has been primarily based on ball motion and scoring. Six Cleveland gamers — Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Caris LaVert and Ty Jerome- entered play on Wednesday night time averaging double figures in scoring.
READ: NBA: Cavaliers beat Bulls to stay unbeaten at 12-0
“We’ve all been in a position to play lots of video games, and you may be mentally and bodily drained,” Mitchell stated. “However you have got to have the ability to proceed to to the little issues for each other. That’s what it’s going to tackle an evening like tonight (to win).
“You need to be the group that does the little issues for each other by means of these moments and continues to make the best performs.”
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen performs throughout an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Picture/Matt Slocum)
Wednesday night time changed into extra of a battle than most anticipated in opposition to a short-handed Philadelphia lineup that was lacking Joel Embiid (left knee damage upkeep), Paul George (left knee damage upkeep), Tyrese Maxey (proper hamstring pressure) and backup heart Andre Drummond (sickness).
It additionally confirmed how massive of a burden Cleveland is carrying with its successful streak.
“If you happen to have been the Sixers coming in, you’re considering ’We might finish the streak,’” Cleveland first-year coach Kenny Atkinson stated. “That at all times motivates gamers and coaches that you realize you may knock somebody off their block. I do know our gamers really feel it and so they’ve talked about it.”
READ: NBA: Cavaliers off to finest begin in franchise historical past at 9-0
Rookie first-round decide Jared McCain scored a profession excessive 34 factors and had Philadelphia inside three with simply over three minutes to play.
“He got here out and confirmed that he’s bought some sport,” Garland stated. “He’s in search of a spot on that group as properly. It was good, it was an excellent displaying for all of us.”
That’s when Mitchell bought sizzling, closing the sport with 11 factors within the ultimate three minutes and simply lacking his first profession triple-double.
“He made these massive step-back 3’s,” Atkinson stated. “We’ll forgive him (for lacking the triple-double).”
After a time off on Thursday, Cleveland will host Chicago on Friday and Charlotte on Sunday earlier than its final litmus check — a Tuesday night time sport at defending NBA champion Boston.
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“We have now a mature group and a gentle group that doesn’t get too excessive or too low,” Atkinson stated. “They’re a humble group. I don’t know if they’re studying the media quotes and I don’t assume that anybody is pounding the drum or saying how nice we’re. Donovan is at all times saying that we haven’t performed something but, in order that they perceive what we have to do and what the subsequent step is. And they’re maintaining that chip on their shoulder.”
