The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 18, 2025
Today: March 18, 2025

Perfect 10: High-scoring Cavaliers extend best start in team history under new coach Kenny Atkinson

Warriors Cavaliers Basketball
November 09, 2024

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kenny Atkinson couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the box score and stared at the record of his Cleveland Cavaliers.

His first season as their coach has gone perfectly.

“10-0 is something. It’s kind of a magic number, right?” Atkinson said. “I was worried about tonight because the Warriors are champions. That surprised me, how ready we were, how hungry we were. 10-0 is really something for our team.”

Perfect 10: High-scoring Cavaliers extend best start in team history under new coach Kenny Atkinson
Warriors Cavaliers Basketball

Darius Garland scored 27 points and Evan Mobley had 23 as the Cavaliers routed the Golden State Warriors 136-117 on Friday night, becoming the first team in NBA history to win its first 10 games and score at least 110 points in each of them.

Atkinson’s high-powered offense has been a great fit for Cleveland, which leads the league in points per game at 124.5 and with a .526 field goal percentage.

Under now-Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff last season, the Cavaliers averaged 112.6 points and shot .479 from the field — with the same top nine players on their roster. They lost to eventual champion Boston in the second round of the playoffs.

The only significant change made by general manager Koby Altman was hiring Atkinson after he spent three years as an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Warriors.

Perfect 10: High-scoring Cavaliers extend best start in team history under new coach Kenny Atkinson
Warriors Cavaliers Basketball

“This was a great job to get, just like mine was 10 years ago, and it’s a perfect spot for Kenny,” Kerr said. “Continuity was already there and they were damn good last year, but Kenny has added his touch. He obviously is a good fit.”

Atkinson’s up-tempo style quickly won over the face of the franchise, All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. Atkinson had previously worked with current Cavs players Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert during his head coaching stint in Brooklyn, making the transition even smoother.

Utilizing Cleveland’s depth has also paid dividends during the best start in franchise history. Ten players are averaging at least 15 minutes a game, but none are logging more than 30.

“We’re playing fast and we’re playing the right way,” said backup guard Ty Jerome, who scored a season-high 20 points against Golden State. “Everyone is making shots and everyone is having fun. And Donovan and Darius’ selflessness is allowing us to play that way.”

Perfect 10: High-scoring Cavaliers extend best start in team history under new coach Kenny Atkinson
Warriors Cavaliers Basketball

On an evening when the Cavaliers built a 41-point halftime lead at 83-42 — tying the eighth largest in the NBA’s shot clock era — and equaled the team record for points in a half, several players noted they still haven’t reached their potential.

Cleveland has outshot its opponent in each game, but has only won the rebounding battle four times. The Cavs also committed 19 turnovers that led to 30 points against the Warriors.

“That’s the thing — we have a long way to go, a lot of stuff to clean up, which is great,” Allen said. “We know we can be better and we’re not going to stop working until we get there. Kenny is one of the best coaches in the league and it’s showing.”

___

Perfect 10: High-scoring Cavaliers extend best start in team history under new coach Kenny Atkinson
Warriors Cavaliers Basketball

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Related Articles

Indiana Pacers steal win over the Milwaukee Bucks with Tyrese Haliburton’s last-ditch four-point play No Donovan Mitchell? No problem for Cavaliers as they tie their team record with 15th straight win Tyrese Haliburton's stunning 4-point play gives the Pacers a 115-114 win over the Bucks NBA-leading Cavaliers beat Nets 109-104 for their second 15-game win streak of season
Share This

Popular

Business|Education|Political|Sports

NCAA agrees to lift name, image and likeness recruitment ban

NCAA agrees to lift name, image and likeness recruitment ban
Crime|Europe|Political|Sports|World

Conor McGregor's White House immigration comments draw rebuke from Irish PM

Conor McGregor's White House immigration comments draw rebuke from Irish PM
Celebrity|Sports|US

Iga Swiatek discusses nearly hitting a ball boy and three weeks she spent crying daily last year

Iga Swiatek discusses nearly hitting a ball boy and three weeks she spent crying daily last year
Asia|Business|Sports|Travel|World

Shohei Ohtani merchandise is prompting long lines — even in the rain — in Tokyo

Shohei Ohtani merchandise is prompting long lines — even in the rain — in Tokyo

Sports

Sports|US

Braves' Spencer Strider sparkles in 1st spring start as he comes back from Tommy John surgery

Braves' Spencer Strider sparkles in 1st spring start as he comes back from Tommy John surgery
Sports|US

Mavericks' Anthony Davis practices with club's G League affiliate for possible return from injury

Mavericks' Anthony Davis practices with club's G League affiliate for possible return from injury
Education|Political|Sports|US

US finds Maine policy on transgender athletes violates law

US finds Maine policy on transgender athletes violates law
Business|Education|Environment|Food|Sports

World's only 100% compostable coffee pods are made in Central Virginia: 'We're running this thing 24/7'

World's only 100% compostable coffee pods are made in Central Virginia: 'We're running this thing 24/7'

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In