The Cleveland Cavaliers have kicked off the season with an impressive 8-0 record, a feat even past teams led by LeBron James couldn’t achieve.
Historic Start
With a tight 116-114 victory against the Bucks, the team under Kenny Atkinson has matched the 1976-77 Cavaliers for the best start in franchise history.
The Cleveland Cavaliers win a close game against the Bucks & tie the franchise record for best start to a season at 8-0 ๐ฅ
— NBA TV (@NBATV)
Comparisons to the Past
Back in 1976-77, the Cavs also began strong but ended with a modest record of 43-39 due to midseason struggles. This time around, it seems likely they’ll secure at least 50 wins and rank among the top three in the Eastern Conference. Their starting lineup is formidable, featuring Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen all averaging over 15 points per game. Caris LeVert adds another layer of depth from the bench with his contributions.
Fans are excited about this team’s potential!
On Monday night, even when Mitchell had an off-game shooting-wise, Garland stepped up big time with crucial fourth-quarter points to seal their win.
Offensive and Defensive Prowess
Atkinson’s fast-paced system has elevated their scoring average to 122.3 points per gameโjust behind Boston’s league-leading average. Despite this uptempo approach, their defense remains solid thanks to Mobley and Allen’s efforts in limiting opponents’ paint points.
The Cavaliers now boast top-five rankings on both ends of the court after former coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized defense last year. The team retained much of its core but plays an entirely new brand of basketball today.
Mitchell expressed pride in how versatile theyโve been: “We’ve won in so many different ways,” he shared with Associated Press. “That’s been more impressive to me than the eight wins… Every night it’s somebody new.”
Looking Ahead
Next up is a chance for history-making as they head to New Orleans on Wednesday; winning there would not only break franchise records but tie them with recent greats like Milwaukeeโs start last decade!
