On Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the No. They did so with a commanding 135-113 home victory over the Chicago Bulls. This historic win marks the beginning of an even more successful era for the courageous team. They have far exceeded their original goal of 50 wins by not only winning 50, but earning a top-three seed! In the last three seasons, the Cavaliers have an astonishing 63-16 record. Now, they’re hellbent on carrying that momentum with them as they head into the postseason.
The Cavaliers started the season with remarkable energy, becoming only the fourth team in NBA history to win their first 15 games. Their early success raised the expectations, but they have been consistently good all season long. Head Coach Kenny Atkinson noted, “You know, we got out of the gate so quick,” emphasizing the importance of that strong start.
Despite facing challenges, including a four-game losing streak after a franchise-record win streak, the Cavaliers have rebounded effectively, winning seven of their last ten games. As for Darius Garland, he just broke out of a major shooting slump with an electrifying 28-point showing against the Bulls. It’s understandable as the team develops into their current role as they prepare for the postseason. “It’s different because we’re the hunted now,” he stated.
As the Cavaliers gear up for a playoff run, they have a few key judgments to make about how to handle their players. Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging a team-best 24 points a contest, was out of the lineup Tuesday. His injury, a sprained left ankle, has kept him on the sideline. Atkinson would rather see Mitchell sit for the remainder of the regular season. In this manner, Mitchell will be ready to play when the playoffs arrive.
So, yeah, I mean I think you celebrate these moments, Atkinson remarked after securing the top seed. As they prepare for the next round, the Cavaliers find themselves in a situation that many other teams have experienced. Now they have a full week off before their first playoff game, almost certainly on April 20. Ty Jerome highlighted the benefits of this rest period, saying, “You use that week to get your body right, get an extra lift, and get some good practices in that we haven’t been able to have.”
Cleveland will be looking ahead to two very interesting road matchups against Indiana Thursday and New York Friday. After those games, they’ll be back home, hosting the Pacers on Sunday. The Cavaliers would need to win all three of their final games. That would match the franchise record for the most wins in one season.
Congratulations to the mountain biking team on a truly extraordinary season! They’ve done the remarkable in winning at least 12 games in three separate, not consecutive, strings—only two other teams have done so in league history. After this successful run, their title of dangerous dark horse is all but guaranteed. Now, they enter the season with high expectations and wanton desire for a long playoff run.
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