By james art The Cleveland Cavaliers begin the 2024-25 season. Aside from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cavs are the only other undefeated team in the Association, sitting at 5-0.
While their first three opponents, the Raptors, Pistons and Wizards, weren’t the toughest, Kenny Atkinson’s team just beat the Knicks and Lakers on Wednesday night, two playoff teams.
To win every single contest thus far means you have to play pretty solid basketball on both ends of the floor. The statistics certainly back this up.
Via Jordan Zirm:
The core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are performing well. Spida is averaging a team-high 23.8 points, while Mobley is putting up 19.2 points a night.
The Cavs have always prided themselves on their defense and it shows. They are fourth in the league. Their twin towers of Allen and Mobley form one of the most intimidating frontcourts around.
Cleveland beat Los Angeles 134-110 on Wednesday and led by 28 at one point. Mobley dropped 25 points while Mitchell had 24. Allen also grabbed 17 boards and scored 20 points. Garland had 12 points and 10 assists.
Earlier this week, Mitchell came to Garland’s defense after he erupted for 34 points against the Knicks. The former Vanderbilt standout has faced his fair share of criticism over the past year, but he showed early.
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“I just want everybody who’s been on this side to stay on this side when it comes to him. I don’t want there to be a change. I know who a lot of you are,” Mitchell said, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “There are times in your career when you have years like that. Obviously, he was experiencing things personally. You have to grow up. You have to understand it. A lot of people said it can’t.
Trade hype has surrounded Garland for most of the summer, but right now he’s proving his worth to this exciting Cavs group.
Cleveland returns to action on Friday against the Orlando Magic, their first-round playoff opponent from last season.