Following the Cavs 116-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland is 8-0 for just the second time in franchise history. Head coach Kenny Atkinson has his team rolling and on pace to be the first Cavs team to start a season with nine wins.
Cavs Setting Records With 8-0 Start
Breaking Records
After a relatively quiet regular season where the Cavs made no major changes to the core of their roster, questions about the Cavs certainly arose. However, Cleveland’s current run has quieted the noise. In the 78-year history of the NBA only 32 teams have ever started the season with eight straight wins. Of those 32 teams just seven have gone on to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June.
Head coach Atkinson said following the Cavs’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kenny Atkinson on if he is surprised about how the Cavs are playing right now:
“Yeah. I have so much respect for the parity in this league— yeah, honestly I’m a bit surprised.” #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/2OHxtMfAwj
— Dylan🔮🪼🎃 (@DylanWDesign_) October 31, 2024
Additionally, Atkinson has tied the record for the longest winning streak in his first year with the team. The Cavs 8-0 record tied Monty Williams in 2010 (NOP), Flip Saunders in 2005 (DET), and Larry Brown in 1976 (DEN). His start is also the best by a first-year Cavs coach in history.
While only being the second team in franchise history to start 8-0 the Cavs have had longer winning streaks. The record is 13 games which was set three separate times in 2009, 2010, and 2017. Cleveland plays just one team with a winning record, the Golden State Warriors, in their next six games so there is a shot the Cavs could tie or break the record. But this season is not about setting franchise records for the Cavs.
Being 8-0, Cleveland holds first place in the Eastern Conference. However, they hold just a one-game lead over current NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. Being a top-two seed in the East would give the Cavs ample opportunity to advance past the second round of the playoffs come the Spring.
History On The Line
Cleveland heads to New Orleans for a Wednesday night tilt with the Pelicans and a lot of history on the line. A win would not only move the Cavs to 9-0 for the first time in history, but it would also mark the team’s first 5-0 start on the road. Their four road wins to open the season are tied with the 1988-89 team that finished 57-25.
Offensive Success
Regardless of the outcome, Atkinson has his Cavs flying. Cleveland ranks second in offensive rating while being fifth in defensive rating. Compared to last season, the Cavs ranked just 24th in pace, while now they have cracked the top 10.
They lead the NBA in FG% while ranking second in 3P%. Everything seems to be clicking in Northeast Ohio right now. The way the Cavs are playing could have them in a poised position to make a deep playoff run in a few months’ time. The Cavs’ investment in their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen is clearly paying off. Cleveland has not seen this level of play to start a season since the 70’s, so enjoy it, Cavs fans, they’re very good.
