The recent results in the NBA and NHL prove that the odds cannot always predict the outcome, and those are just numbers. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Winnipeg Jets have been on a tear lately, and it seems no one can stop them.
It is beautiful to watch how two teams, not from the most substantial markets, managed to turn things around. If the Winnipeg Jets won 14 out of 15 games to start the campaign and lost only once, the Cavs have delivered and won all 11 games. Unexpectedly, the hype is rising, and no one knows what the future holds for both organizations.
NBA – Cleveland Cavaliers
Even though Donovan Mitchell is the leading figure, this team plays the best basketball so far, and a few statistical and rotational transformations changed the approach. Cleveland is the 15th team in the league’s history to start a season 10-0; seven made the NBA finals.
However, setting winning streaks at the start of the season might not always be a positive element in the long run. Once upon a time, the Golden State Warriors won their first 24 games and set the league record, but still lost in the 2015-16 NBA finals.
Comparison & Independence
We do not compare the legendary squad with this one, but the two have a few similarities. Both teams have good perimeter players who can shoot, pass and control the rhythm. In the centre position, they have solid defensive bigs who can switch, defend on the three-point line, and protect the basket by blocking the shots.
The most standout aspect for the Cavs is their chemistry and lesser independence from D. Mitchell. Finally, his teammates contribute to the team’s success, and he does not have to score 30+ each time for them to stay in the game. The NBA megastar hit a 30-point mark only twice this season, and they still have the best record in the league. Let us peek at how many points D. Mitchell scored since the victorious beginning of the season.
- Away – Toronto Raptors – 21 points
- Home – Detroit Pistons – 19 points
- Away – Washington Wizards – 30 points
- Away – New York Knicks – 25 points
- Home – Los Angeles Lakers – 24 points
- Home – Orlando Magic – 22 points
- Away – Milwaukee Bucks – 30 points
- Home – Milwaukee Bucks – 14 points
- Away – New Orleans Pelicans – 29 points
- Home – Golden State Warriors – 12 points
- Home – Brooklyn Nets – 22 points
Offensive Burst & Historical Pathline
The offensive streak of scoring at least 110 points throughout their first ten successful outings is a new NBA record. Yet, they failed to score that amount in their last game, and the scoring run ended. The former record belonged to the 1960-61 Philadelphia Warriors, who had reached this mark without interruption nine times.
Furthermore, another record is on the line, as the Cavs must win their next two games to match the longest winning streak in franchise history. The record stands at 13, and they have done it three times. Interestingly enough, the last time it occurred, LeBron James was on the roster, and it lasted from the 11th of November until the 6th of December, 2017. Below, we display their next five games.
- Away – Chicago Bulls
- Away – Philadelphia 76ers
- Home – Chicago Bulls
- Home – Charlotte Hornets
- Away – Boston Celtics
NHL – Winnipeg Jets
No one predicted such a high leap from the Cavaliers, but a similar Cinderella story also transpired in the National Hockey League. The Canadian side, the Winnipeg Jets, are off to the best start in the history of the NHL, as they have won 14 games out of a possible 15.
Compared to the Cavs, the Jets have lost one game, but both organizations display the same level of perfection. It is conspicuous that nobody had a plan against this onslaught, and even the record himself has fallen.
Record-Setting Start & Statistical Domination
Every aspect of this squad clicks, starting from scorching-hot offence and finishing with elite goalkeeping. The Winnipeg Jets became just the second team after the 2013-14 Colorado Avalanche, who have registered two win streaks of at least six matches throughout the first 15 games.
If that is not enough, the main goalkeeper, Connor Hellebuyck, set a new franchise shutout streak record. It lasted 191:47 and made Ondrej Pavelec drop to the second spot on the all-time list.
- Connor Hellebuyck – 191:47 – 2024-25
- Ondrej Pavelec – 187:05 – 2014-15
We have a narrow range of teams that can currently compete against the Jets, as they have scored the highest number of goals (67) and are just behind the New York Rangers in the defensive department (31). All these things help them have the best goal differential among all the NHL organizations (+36).
However, the component that stands out the most is the power play. The percentage goes as high as 41.9%, and the Canadian team is the top-ranked power play among all 32 squads. The club has also officially stated that it is the first time the Jets swept a homestand of 4+ games twice in a single season. By the way, it is only November.
Upcoming Opponents & Possible Struggles
The current situation is incredibly positive, and nobody can complain. Regardless, the forthcoming run of games will squeeze a lot out of them, as it will be outrageously tough. The Winnipeg side will have to play nine games away from home, and this period will determine whether this team has what it takes to lift the Stanley Cup.
It is evident that if they can survive the arguably most challenging span of the regular season – they will prove it was not just an exceptional start and a short story for the history books. Below, we highlight their next ten games and the opponents they will face.
- Away – New York Rangers
- Away – Tampa Bay Lightning
- Away – Florida Panthers
- Home – Florida Panthers
- Away – Pittsburgh Penguins
- Away – Nashville Predators
- Away – Minnesota Wild
- Away – Los Angeles Kings
- Away – Vegas Golden Knights
- Away – Dallas Stars
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