Cavs extend record to 12-0

Cavs become the 8th team in league history to begin a season 12-0.

The Cleveland Cavaliers looked exhausted for most of the night. But a surge from the bench gave them enough life to inch out another win en route to a history 12-0 start.

The Cavs trailed midway through the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls in a game that felt destined to get away from them. As Kenny Atkinson searched for a way to rejuvenate his team, Dean Wade found himself leading the bench at the five — with Ty Jerome, Georges Niang, Caris LeVert and Sam Merrill alongside him. This small-ball lineup was the key, rattling off a 24-7 run when Cleveland needed it most.

Atkinson has been willing to adjust on the fly throughout this streak. He turned to a small-ball lineup in crunch time against the Brooklyn Nets one game ago. His ability to push the right buttons at precisely the right time has kept the Cavs rolling despite some closely contested games.

Donovan Mitchell was electric in the first half. He provided a necessary scoring burst with 25 points in the opening two quarters. Mitchell finished with a team-high 36 points. But as Mitchell cooled off in the second half — the newest NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week took over.

Darius Garland was the closer tonight. He’s been one of the best clutch players in the league this season and this game was no different. Garland took it to Chicago down the stretch — burying the dagger after cooking Nikola Vucevic in isolation.

The Cavaliers can credit every member of the roster for this perfect start. From Jerome’s microwave scoring and defensive tenacity — to the versatility of the bench — and finally, the star-studded core-four that has delivered on its potential to begin the season.