The Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Warriors at home on Monday night. With this 7th consecutive victory, they consolidate their leadership in the NBA. Stars Garland and Mitchell shone, totally eclipsing Stephen Curry. Golden State is sinking with a 4th defeat in the last 5 matches despite Jackson-Davis’ good game. The Cavaliers seem unstoppable at the start of the season, will they go all the way?
At the start of the NBA season, one team is talked about more than the others: the Cleveland Cavaliers. Monday evening, they impressed once again by crushing the Golden State Warriors on their floor (95-113). Despite a very tough schedule with four difficult consecutive trips, the Cavs scored a seventh victory in a row and consolidated their first place in the standings. A major performance which augurs an exceptional season for the Ohio franchise.
Garland and Mitchell sparkling, Curry and the Warriors extinguished
The key to the Cavaliers’ success? A tandem of stars in a state of grace. Darius Garland (23 years old) and Donovan Mitchell (26 years old), who arrived this summer from the Utah Jazz, were once again the main architects of the victory with 15 and 23 points respectively. Opposite, Stephen Curry completely missed his match, limited to only 11 points. It was young interior Trayce Jackson-Davis who tried to keep the Warriors afloat with 16 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Golden State concedes its fourth defeat in the last five matches.
The Knicks on the heels of the Cavs
If Cleveland is in the lead with now 21 victories for only 6 defeats, they will have to remain vigilant. In their Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks also had a thunderous start to the season with eight consecutive victories. Monday evening, they won in Washington (106-126) thanks in particular to a huge triple-double from Josh Hart (23 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 pds) and 32 points from Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks are in 3rd place, determined to play spoilsport.
Other results of the night
- The Sacramento Kings ended a series of 6 defeats by dominating Dallas (110-100) with 33 points from De’Aaron Fox. First success for interim coach Doug Christie.
- Despite 33 points from CJ McCollum, the New Orleans Pelicans lost to the wire against the Los Angeles Clippers (113-116). 20th loss in 21 matches for NOLA…
- With 37 points from Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia Sixers won largely in Portland (103-125).
- Despite 31 points from Miles Bridges, the Charlotte Hornets conceded an 8th defeat in a row against the Chicago Bulls (108-115) and an excellent Coby White (23 pts, 10 rebounds, 9 pds).
This new demonstration places the Cavaliers in the position of big favorite in the East but the season is still long. Their next trips to the Lakers and to Dallas will be indicative of their ability to last. One thing is certain, the return of Cleveland to the forefront, four years after the departure of LeBron James, is the great sensation of this start of the season. Will the Cavs transform the try and win a new title? Response in a few months.
