The Cleveland Cavaliers joined a incredible quartet of NBA golf equipment that began their season 15-0 with a 128-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
With this victory, Cleveland joined the Washington Capitols in 1948-49 (15-0), the Houston Rockets in 1993-94 (15-0) and the Golden State Warriors in 2015-16 (24-0). All three of those groups finally completed the season within the NBA Finals, however solely the Rockets gained the championship.
The Cavs performed with out main scorer Donovan Mitchell, who was held out of the sport to relaxation, in accordance with the NBA damage report. Mitchell is averaging 24.6 factors and taking pictures 42% from 3-point vary this season.
Ty Jerome took Mitchell’s place within the beginning lineup and continued the superb play he contributed to the second unit, scoring 24 factors (taking pictures 4 of seven from 3) and eight assists.
“Ty performed rather well. He deserved it,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned. earlier than the match. “Full confidence. He additionally offers us one other ball handler. It is extra about him enjoying properly on each ends proper now.”
Darius Garland led the Cavs with 25 factors and 12 assists. Evan Mobley had 23 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Jarrett Allen scored 21 factors with 15 rebounds, benefiting from their frontcourt dimension benefit over the Hornets. Garland and Allen hit 9 free throws.
Put on their Powder Blue Metropolis Version UniformsThe Cavs acquired off to a great begin, outscoring Charlotte 38-28 within the first quarter behind Jerome’s 10 factors. Cleveland went into halftime with a 72-59 lead.
Nevertheless, the Hornets relentlessly shot 3-pointers which introduced them again into the sport through the third quarter, closing the hole to 82-79 and conserving the sport aggressive all through the second half . For the sport, Charlotte made 52 3-pointers, hitting 39% of them.
Recent off being fined $100,000 by the NBA for utilizing an anti-gay time period throughout a postgame interview, LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 31 factors and 12 assists (taking pictures 5 of 15 on 3).
Miles Bridges adopted with 19 factors (4 of 8 from 3), eight rebounds and eight assists. Josh Inexperienced, Brandon Miller (3-for-12 from 3) and Grant Williams every added 15 for Charlotte, whose file fell to 5-8 for the season.
The Cavs face the hardest take a look at of their first 15 video games Tuesday in opposition to the 11-3 Boston Celtics at TD Backyard. The groups met within the playoffs final season, and Boston gained the Jap Convention semifinal collection, 4-1.
