Cavaliers to put perfect start on line against champion Celtics in juicy matchup, playoff rematch

Cavaliers will put ir perfect start on line in perfect place.

“Boston Garden,” said Cleveland first-year coach Kenny Atkinson, who has yet to lose in his new job. “What's better than that?”

As NBA games in November go, not much.

Unbeaten through 15 games after defeating Charlotte 128-114 on Sunday night , Cleveland will try to become just second team to go 16-0 on Tuesday when it visits defending champion Celtics, who bounced Cavs from playoffs last season.

“It’s great for NBA, right?" said Atkinson, only coach to win his 15 games with a new team. "Everybody is going to be watching, and I know our guys are anxious. I know y remember last year. We’re going well. y’re going well. It’s great for league. Great for our franchise. We’re excited.”

Despite resting All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell against Hornets, Cavs followed a familiar formula in joining Golden State Warriors (2015-16), Houston Rockets (1993-94) and Washington Capitols (1948-49) as only teams to open 15-0.

Darius Garland scored 25 points, Ty Jerome ded 24 while starting in Mitchell's spot and Cavs got a combined 44 points and 26 rebounds from forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen to hold off Hornets.

y also extended longest winning streak in team history and have given Cleveland sports fans something to be excited about in midst of a football season that crashed long ago for Browns.

“It's incredible,” Allen said of how city is embracing Cavs. “Everyone is showing tons of energy, all over city. It's incredible how Cleveland has opted us. y come to every game, yelling for every thing. city of Cleveland has our backs.”

As has been case in almost every game, Cavs got positive minutes and moments from everyone Atkinson put on floor. y also overcame some versity as both Isaac Okoro and Dean We were forced out in second half with ankle injuries.

We, who has me seven starts, left Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in a walking boot. Atkinson doesn't know if We or Okoro will be available against Celtics, but Mitchell should be back after missing his first game — a planned absence.

Mitchell didn't play in final two games of last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, when Cavs were eliminated in five games by Celtics, who went on to win anor championship.

Allen missed that entire Boston series with a broken rib and said he and his teammates are looking forward to seeing how y measure up with Celtics now.

“It’s a rematch,” Allen said. “I know y didn’t have some players. And we didn’t have me, so I want to try and beat m and test where we are with m.”

Atkinson feels same way. If Cavs have title aspirations, this a chance for m to see if y're real.

“It's going to be a great test for us,” he said. "y obviously play a different style, five-out with five shooters so it's going to be a real good test for us. We're at that point right now — 15-0 and let's test ourselves against best and see where we stand and see where we're going to make justments or not make justments.

“It comes at perfect time.”