The Cavaliers cleared another hurdle on Wednesday, improving to 9-0, the best start in franchise history.
Cleveland defeated the Pelicans, 131-122. According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson became the first coach in NBA history to win his first nine games with a franchise.
Guard Donovan Mitchell had 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting, while center Jarrett Allen had 16 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, including one on Pels rookie center Yves Missi’s slam dunk attempt in the third quarter.
Mitchell helped put the game away when he showed off his handles on a driving floater to put Cleveland up by eight with 5:18 remaining in the fourth.
The Cavs displayed their depth in Wednesday’s win, with their bench outscoring the Pels, 50-22, led by guard Caris LeVert’s 16 points.
Based on its impressive start to the season, Cleveland could be the defending-champion Celtics’ biggest threat in the Eastern Conference.
Per ESPN Bet, the Cavaliers (+750) have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference, trailing the Celtics (+120) and Knicks (+360).
Entering Wednesday, Cleveland ranked second in scoring (122.2 points per game) and eighth in points allowed per game (109.1).
After making the playoffs the past two seasons under former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, including a run to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2023-24, Cleveland appears ready to go even further with Atkinson.
The former Nets head coach from the 2016-17 through 2019-20 seasons, Atkinson was an assistant coach for the Warriors the past three seasons.
Cleveland will attempt to improve its record to 10-0 when it plays Golden State (7-1) on Friday.
