Cavaliers' Unbeaten Start Validated By Darius Garland Amidst NBA Season Success

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made an impressive start to the NBA season, with guard Darius Garland asserting that their unbeaten run is genuine. The team extended their record to 11-0 after a 105-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. This marks the first time this season they scored below 110 points, yet they managed to secure the win.

Garland contributed significantly by scoring eight of his 20 points in the final quarter, helping Cleveland maintain their perfect record. The Cavaliers are now just two wins away from equalling their franchise's longest winning streak of 13 games, achieved three times, most recently in 2017. Garland expressed confidence in their potential, stating, "I don't think this is just any old fluke."

During the game against the Nets, coach Kenny Atkinson made a strategic decision by benching Jarrett Allen for the last quarter and moving Evan Mobley to centre. This move paid off as Mobley delivered an outstanding performance with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Atkinson praised Mobley's crucial defensive plays at the end of the game.

"He [Mobley] was phenomenal," Atkinson remarked. "Those three or four stops we needed at the end of the game, he got caught on a switch and Cam [Thomas] tried to shoot it over him. He's just too long." Mobley's efforts included a significant block on the final play and strong rebounding.

The Golden State Warriors hold the NBA record for starting a season with 24 consecutive wins during the 2015-16 campaign. Coach Atkinson acknowledged that maintaining their current streak is on his mind despite focusing on each game individually. "You're thinking about it," he admitted.

Atkinson added, "Normally, this is 11 games in. You're not thinking about a streak, but then you're like, man, I don't want it to end this way." He emphasised that while competing in each match is paramount, there's an underlying desire to continue their winning momentum.

The Cavaliers' next challenge will be against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. As they aim to extend their unbeaten run further, all eyes will be on how they handle this upcoming test.