The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their perfect start to 8-0, edging out the Milwaukee Bucks 116-114 on Monday night behind Darius Garland’s 39-point performance, solidifying their place as the last unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ momentum keeps growing, as does their belief in this historic start. The Cavaliers extended their perfect record to 8-0 with a nail-biting 116-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, preserving their status as the only undefeated team left in the Eastern Conference.
With a wide grin, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen hinted at the team’s high aspirations after the game, saying, “That’s the plan,” when asked about the possibility of continuing the streak.
The Bucks, playing without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, did not make it easy for Cleveland. However, the Cavs found a way to prevail, thanks in large part to Darius Garland’s standout performance. Garland poured in 39 points, outscoring Bucks star Damian Lillard in the closing moments as the two point guards exchanged highlight-reel shots in front of a packed crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“It was amazing,” Garland reflected. “I grew up watching Dame. It was super cool playing some one-on-one basketball.”
But Garland’s brilliance wasn’t the only factor in Cleveland’s winning formula. This season, teamwork has propelled the Cavs to their impressive start, which now matches the best in franchise history — the 1976-77 squad’s 8-0 run under coach Bill Fitch.
When reminded of that record, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell quickly cut off the reporter. “We’re not doing that,” he said, wary of jinxing the team’s early success. “It’s great to have that, but at the end of the day, it’s been eight games.”
Mitchell, who signed a three-year contract extension with Cleveland this summer, emphasized the variety in the Cavs’ victories as a testament to their resilience. “We’ve won in so many different ways,” he said. “We’ve had blowouts. We’ve had close games. We’ve come back. Every night, it’s somebody new.”
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers have demonstrated a willingness to rely on depth, which was evident Monday night when Atkinson played 10 different players, including rookie Luke Travers, who saw action in just his second NBA game. The Cavs overcame the absence of starter Dean Wade and key reserve Caris LeVert due to injuries.
“It just shows the belief in the group, from top to bottom,” Mitchell said, praising the trust his teammates share.
While the Cavaliers’ hot streak won’t last forever — they aren’t aiming to chase the record-breaking 24-0 start by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors — they’re relishing each victory.
“We’re all just locked in,” Garland said. And for Cleveland, few things are more enjoyable right now than winning.
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