The offseason plan fueling the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top of the NBA - ESPN

WITH TWO MINUTES left in the fourth quarter Friday night, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner to give his team a nine-point lead over the Chicago Bulls. Just about everyone in the building realized it was a dagger that all but assured the Cavs their 14th consecutive win to start the season.

But then, in a sudden surge, the Cavs played some of their most intense basketball of the night, moving at full speed, hoisting 3-pointers early in the shot clock, pressing the accelerator in transition and applying pressure defense.

The Bulls, their bench cleared, gave up 13 points in a blurry 80 seconds and suddenly the Cavs were up by 18 — and celebrating with each addition.

Here's why: Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson played and coached overseas for 15 years. He knows all about the rules for international-style league cups and the importance of scoring margin and total points when it comes to tiebreakers. This was the Cavaliers' first NBA Cup game of the season, and they followed their coach's instructions.

And this little corner of the first month of this season underscores the entire approach of this surprise juggernaut.

These Cavs are not messing around.

They have a vision, a plan and total buy-in from a group of star players all looking to prove something led by a coach with the same mindset. It's an attitude they will take to Boston to face the defending champion Celtics on Tuesday night for the Cavs' biggest test of the young season in what could prove to be the most impactful NBA Cup game of the Eastern Conference group stage. The Cavs will arrive a perfect 15-0 after a 14-point win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night that came with star Donovan Mitchell resting.

«This is rare,»