The defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers have begun this year’s season with an impressive 4-0 record – their best start in 16 years (since the 2000-01 season).
Much of Cleveland’s road to success in the first four games of this year’s campaign can be accredited to teamwork, tenacity on the floor, and accuracy from the field.
On Tuesday night, the Cavaliers defeated the Houston Rockets inside Quicken Loans Arena (128-120) in what proved to be a high-scoring affair. Cleveland’s 128 point total was the most they had scored in a regulation game since January of 2015.
For much of the contest, the two sides battled back-and-forth relentlessly. However, in the fourth quarter, the Cavs decided to put on a basketball shooting clinic.
As a team, the Cavaliers scored 43 points in the final quarter of play against the Rockets. That’s just three points shy of their franchise record for any quarter. Furthermore, Cleveland’s 87% (13-of-15) fourth quarter shooting performance from the field was their best of any quarter in franchise history.
Best scoring 4th Q (43) for the Cavs in 6 years!
— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) November 2, 2016
How about this?? #Cavs with their best shooting quarter ever!! 87%!! It came in the 4th..13-15..
— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) November 2, 2016
Kyrie Irving led all Cleveland scorers in Tuesday night’s win, scoring 32 points (11 in 4th quarter), four assists, and two rebounds in his 34 minutes of playing time. Irving is now the team’s leading scorer with an average of 26.8 points per game.
An appreciative Irving spoke with Joe Vardon of www.cleveland.com in a post-win locker room, saying:
“Another thanks to Griff (David Griffin) for putting this team together and putting the shooters that we have on this team and guys that have been in those positions. We had different combinations in the fourth quarter and we just trust each other, especially with the pass.”
J.R. Smith showed up to the party as well, tallying 15 big points – all from behind the three-point line. Tonight’s performance moved Smith past Cavs Assistant Coach Damon Jones (344) for ninth place in three-point field goals made for the Cavaliers franchise.
Will Cleveland’s winning streak advance to five? Can they keep this momentum rolling? Tune in Thursday night to find out, as the Cavaliers hosts the Boston Celtics at 8:00 PM EST inside Quicken Loans Arena.
