The Cavaliers maintain the prospect of becoming the first team since 2015 to start the season 13-0

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Amid the chuckles and talk of history that filled the Cleveland Cavaliers locker room, Donovan Mitchell tried to add some perspective on the team’s 13-0 start to the NBA season.

“We’re being chased, but it’s also November,” the Cleveland star said after scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in the game The Cavaliers won 114-106 against Philadelphia on Wednesday evening. “Let’s relax. You know, I say it’s November and we’re not winning the championship right now. But these are good tests for us.”

Cleveland became the first team since Golden State in 2015–16 to win 13 straight games to start the season. The Warriors team holds the record for many wins, having began the season with 24 straight wins.

The Cavaliers are only the sixth team in NBA/BAA history to start a game 13-0. Four of the previous five teams reached the championship round. In doing so, he tied Cleveland’s franchise record of 13 consecutive wins, set 3 times previously – in 2009, 2010 and 2017 – all with LeBron James.

“It’s an 82-game season and we only have 13 left,” said guard Darius Garland, who led Cleveland with 25 points in the last win. “We have to clean up so much of things. But it’s good that we also can achieve such victories. We have a superb balance now because we all know we are able to get a lot better regardless that we’re still undefeated.

Part of the Cavaliers’ success was based on ball movement and scoring. Six Cleveland players – Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Caris LaVert and Ty Jerome – entered Wednesday night’s game averaging double-digit points.

“We’ve all played a lot of games and you can get tired mentally and physically,” Mitchell said. “But you’ve to have the ability to still do little things for one another. That’s what an evening like tonight will take (to win).

“You have to be a team that does the little things for each other in those moments and still makes the right plays.”

Wednesday night turned out to be tighter than expected against a short-handed Philadelphia lineup that was missing Joel Embiid (left knee contusion), Paul George (left knee contusion), Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain) and center reserve Andre. Drummond (illness).

It also showed how much of a burden Cleveland was carrying due to its winning streak.

“If you were the Sixers coming in, you’d be thinking, ‘We could end this streak,’” first-year Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It all the time motivates players and coaches, knowing you possibly can throw someone off. I do know our players feel it and have talked about it.

First-round rookie Jared McCain scored a career-high 34 points to lead Philadelphia to victory with just over three minutes left.

“He came out and showed he could play,” Garland said. – He can be searching for a spot on this team. It was good, it was a superb performance for all of us.

That’s when Mitchell got hot, ending with 11 points in the final three minutes and nearly missing his first profession triple-double.

“He made a big step back three,” Atkinson said. “We will forgive him (for missing the triple-double).”

After a break day on Thursday, Cleveland will host Chicago on Friday and Charlotte on Sunday before the final litmus test – Tuesday’s game against defending NBA champion Boston.

“We have a mature and consistent group that is neither too high nor too low,” Atkinson said. “It’s a modest group. I don’t know if they read the media quotes and I don’t think anyone is beating the drum and saying how great we are. Donovan always says we haven’t done anything yet, so they understand what we need to do and what the next step is. And they keep that chip on their shoulder.”