CAVS 15-O WITHOUT HITMAN

Mitchell rested as *team effort, results in NBA's 2nd-best start, behind Warriors, 24-0

The Cleveland Cavaliers, playing without their top scorer Donovan Mitchell, showed they are all about "team effort" as they matched the second-best start to a season in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, reaching 15-0 with a 128-]14 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Mortgage Field House.

Mitchell took the night off on Nov 17 to rest after averaging 24.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Cavs during their perfect run.

Hosts Cavaliers, however, made up for his absence with a balanced attack as Darius Garland had 25 points and 12 assists, Ty Jerome added 24 points, Evan Mobley scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Jarrett Allen contributed 21 points and 15 rebounds.

"We've always got some fight in us no matter what," Garland said.

"Everybody is ready to play. It doesn't matter, one through 15. Everybody contributed. Everybody had a huge part in this win. That's just us. Just as a team effort."

Under new coach Kenny Atkinson, the Eastern Conference leaders had become the sixth team in NBA history to start 14-0.