Cavs Corner: Cleveland remains NBA's hottest team
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Ty Jerome has been electric off the bench. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have improved to 12-0 and are only the eighth team in NBA history to begin a season with 12 straight wins.
Why it matters: Can I get a "Hell yeah!"
Record: (12-0); Last week: (8-0).
Weekly slate: Win at New Orleans (131-122); Win vs. Golden State (136-117); Win vs. Brooklyn (105-100); Win at Chicago (119-113).
The big picture: The Cavs own the best record in the league and are vanquishing all comers.
- It's rare for a mid-market team to capture the national media narrative, but the Cavs' refusal to lose is getting everyone's attention.
- Even ESPN has taken a break from discussing the Lakers, Warriors and Knicks to give Cleveland its flowers.
State of play: Cleveland is taking quick advantage of a weak Eastern Conference that has only one other team team (the Celtics) above .500.
- Injuries and chemistry concerns have already afflicted presumed contenders like Philly, New York and Milwaukee.
- It seems absurd to suggest so early in an 82-game season but, barring calamity, the Cavs may have already locked up a top-four playoff seed.
By the numbers: This is the longest winning streak to open a season since 2015, when the Golden State Warriors won 24 straight.
Flashback: That notable team finished the regular season 73-9, before blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
👀 Weekly winner: Ty Jerome.
- After a season derailed by nagging ankle injuries, the combo guard has emerged as the Cavs' spark plug on the second unit.
- He's tied for team lead in steals — and orchestrated improbable comebacks in recent wins against Brooklyn and Chicago.
🏆 Stat du jour: Darius Garland won the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, a week after Donovan Mitchell.
- They are the first Cavaliers to win back-to-back awards since LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in 2015.
- Garland also eclipsed Irving on the franchise leaderboard for made three-point field goals. Garland is now fourth all-time with 724.
The intrigue: Presumptive starter Max Strus has yet to suit up as he recovers from an ankle injury.
- His return may present some rotation conundrums, but also flexibility for coach Kenny Atkinson to give players additional rest or nights off.
What's next: Tonight at Philadelphia; Friday vs. Chicago; Sunday vs. Charlotte; Tuesday at Boston.
📺 What we're watching: Every single game. Both Philly and Charlotte will be facing the Cavs on the second night of back-to-backs.
- It's possible the Cavs could be 15-0 when they head to Boston to take on the reigning champs Nov. 19.