Even a few notable results for the Charlotte Hornets across the first month of the season can’t come close to stacking up to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ achievements.
And it’s the Hornets who have the next shot at trying to put the first blemish on the Cavaliers’ record.
The teams will meet Sunday evening in Cleveland.
Kenny Atkinson is the only coach in NBA history to win in his first 14 games with a new franchise.
“I knew it’s a group that liked each other and enjoyed playing with each other, and I knew that we had good passers,” Atkinson said. “You’ve got your major scorers, but the guys around them can pass the ball. I think that’s what you’re seeing right now. The ball really moves.”
The Cavaliers posted a season-high point total in Friday night’s 144-126 victory against the visiting Chicago Bulls.
Six teams have won their first 14 games in NBA history, but Cleveland is the first to do so in almost a decade.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell has reached the 30-point mark in four games this season, including his season-high 37 points against Chicago.
Darius Garland has been an ideal complement to Mitchell, who averages 24.6 points per game, in the backcourt.
“It’s the ultimate luxury,” Atkinson said. “They have a shared understanding. When you have two ball handlers like that, it’s an absolute luxury.”
Cleveland had its two closest results against Milwaukee in back-to-back games earlier this month, winning 114-113 and 116-114.
The Cavaliers continue to be challenged by Atkinson.
“We haven’t lost, but how do you continue to find ways to build habits?” Mitchell said. “It’s continuing to coach hard and not let any lapses. That’s what you want in a coach.”
The Hornets are fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 115-114 victory against visiting Milwaukee, riding a strong second half from LaMelo Ball. Ball made the tying and go-ahead free throws with 7.1 seconds to play as Charlotte snapped a two-game losing streak.
Ball, who’s averaging 29.6 points per game, notched 15 of his 26 points in the second half. He has led Charlotte in scoring in 10 of 12 games this season.
Two of the Hornets’ five victories this season have come by one-point margins.
Others are starting to form good support around Ball. Newcomer Josh Green has been identified as one of those influential newcomers.
“The energy, the competitiveness he plays with, you see it every night defensively where he’s wreaking havoc,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said of Green.
Charlotte has dropped four straight road games for a 1-4 mark away from home.
The Hornets received a boost from Tre Mann’s 11 points off the bench Saturday after he missed the previous game because of a lingering ailment. So with games on back-to-back days, his availability might be in question.
A double-double from Moussa Diabate on Saturday — 12 points and 14 rebounds — was reason for optimism for the Hornets.
“He’s hungry, hungry to play, hungry to compete, hungry for every offensive rebound,” Lee said. “I’ve loved his tenacity on both ends of the court.”
Sunday will mark the first of four meetings this season between the teams.
–Field Level Media
