The Cleveland Cavaliers are building rhythm and momentum. They are arguably the hottest team in the league right now.

Following Tuesday’s one-sided victory over the Orlando Magic, they are now winners of eight in a row – the longest active winning streak in the league. What makes it more impressive are the other significant factors that are in play. They are collecting the Ws despite Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley’s (knee) absences–both have been out for over a month now–and doing it with dominance.

Here are the scores of their last eight outings:

• Jan. 4 vs. WAS – 140-101
• Jan. 6 vs. WAS – 114-90
• Jan. 8 vs. SAS – 117-115
• Jan. 12 vs. BKN – 111-102
• Jan. 16 vs. CHI – 109-91
• Jan. 18 vs. MIL – 135-95
• Jan. 21 vs. ATL – 116-95
• Jan. 23 vs. ORL – 126-99

Through fine performances on offense and defense, they are putting up 121.0 points per game while only giving up 98.5 in return, amounting to an average winning margin of 22.5 points.

All-Star and leading scorer Donovan Mitchell is front and center in the team’s encouraging stretch, nicely rising above all the talk. While trade and contract rumors are swirling, and two of his co-starters sidelined, he is guiding the crew with all-around numbers: 27.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.9 steals in his last eight games.

‘Spida’ isn’t alone, though. Big man Jarrett Allen is stepping up big time while Mobley is out healing, so much so that he has set a new record for most consecutive double-doubles in Cavaliers franchise history, with 12. He’s at 18.2 points and 14.3 boards on 65.6% shooting across that span, and he’s adding 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks while he’s at it. 

Now in his seventh year, it’s also nice to have Allen showcase things outside of protection and rebounding – perhaps all the dribble hand-offs and kick-outs has improved his court vision and timing. Check out some of his passing and shooting highlights this season:

There are a couple who are contributing well too. Swingman Caris LeVert is chipping in 18.0 points and 5.1 dimes, while Sam Merrill is shooting the lights out with 42.3% shooting from beyond the arc on 9.4 attempts for 14.3 PPG, both over their last nine games. 

The unheralded Georges Niang has also let out a blistering performance in their current streak. He poured in 33 points on a superbly efficient 13-of-14 shooting last January 18th against the Milwaukee Bucks.

As they move forward, it will be interesting to see how much this Cavs team has progressed. They are a group on a mission and would want to redeem themselves from last postseason’s stink, where they tanked as a fourth seed and top-ranked defense, and lost in the first round to the New York Knicks, 4-1.

The Cavaliers are 26-15 and currently sit fourth in the East standings. They have the Bucks twice and LA Clippers over their next three games – the streak is in danger, but it’s also an excellent chance to further the buzz around them.