The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA heading into the final stretch of the 2024-25 season.
On Tuesday night, the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed improved its record to 55-10 with a 109-104 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets. The Cavaliers are now 8.0 games ahead of the reigning-champion Boston Celtics, who currently hold the No. 2 seed in the East.
The Cavaliers accomplished this victory despite the absence of their All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who missed the game with a groin injury.
Cleveland's other stars stepped up in a big way on Tuesday night. Darius Garland led the way with 30 points and eight assists, while Jarrett Allen notched a massive 23-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Evan Mobley also continued his stellar play, recording 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
With their 55th win of the season, the Cavaliers clinched the Central Division championship for the first time since 2017-18 - the final year of LeBron James' run of four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers announced their division title victory with a social media post on Tuesday night.
"For the first time since 2017-18, your Cleveland Cavaliers are Central Division champs! #LetEmKnow," the team wrote on X.
For the first time since 2017-18, your Cleveland Cavaliers are Central Division champs! #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/PHIjE0Qb05
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 12, 2025
The Cavaliers are currently on an NBA-best 15 game win streak with their last loss coming in a 112-105 defeat to the Celtics on Feb. 4. This red-hot Cleveland team will look to keep its streak alive when they face off against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in a primetime matchup on Friday night.
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 12:20 AM.