The Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business.
The best record in the league was at stake, so they knew they had to take care of business.
Kenny Atkinson’s team held on and weathered the storm in a hard-fought matchup.
And even though Donovan Mitchell had one of his worst shooting games of the season, they still prevailed.
When asked about the outcome of the game, star big man Evan Mobley talked about how the team knew they had to do their job on such a big stage (via Serena Winters):
“This is the big stage. We just came out here, got the W, did what we were supposed to do, like always,” he said.
“This is the big stage. We just came out here, got the W, did what we were supposed to do, like always.”
Best team in the league, right here.
📺: @FanDuelSN_CLE pic.twitter.com/1qR4jN9cji
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 9, 2025
The Cavaliers hosted the best team in the Western Conference, and they ended their league-best 15-game winning streak.
If there were any doubts about whether the Cavs were for real, this should have silenced the doubters by now.
They continue to be undefeated against the Western Conference, and they’ve only lost one game at home all season.
The Cavaliers have lost just four games this year, and only three teams have been able to beat them.
This isn’t usual at this point in the season, and while there’s still plenty of basketball to be played, it’s hard not to consider this team a championship contender.
Small-market teams rarely get the benefit of the doubt, much less if they don’t have a top-ten player in the league.
Now, after taking down an MVP candidate and the hottest team in the NBA, the rest of the league will have to finally give the Cavaliers their flowers.
NEXT: Latest Odds Show Cavs' Chance To Win Championship
