LeBron James moved up a gear in the second half, finishing the game with 27 points and 13 rebounds, as the Cavaliers (60-16) secured their 10th consecutive home win.
“Our goals are huge, much bigger than winning 60 games or clinching home court,” James told reporters. “But when those happen you embrace it.”
The Cavaliers went a league-leading 66-16 last season but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals, falling in six games to the Orlando Magic.
Atlanta kept the game close until the fourth quarter when they went more than six minutes without a field goal. Cleveland scored 14 consecutive points at one point in the quarter.
“Our guys did a great job of bringing the juice,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “They brought energy, effort and focus.”
Guard Mo Williams chipped in with 24 points while forward J.J. Hickson had a career-high 16 rebounds as Cleveland improved to 34-4 at home this season. They have won 17 of their last 19.
James had 18 points in the second half.
“Early on I missed three lay-ups I usually make,” James said. “So my confidence never got down, and I knew in the second half I was going to make those same shots.”
Cleveland, though continuing to play without injured centre Shaquille O’Neal, also dominated inside, forcing Atlanta to shoot jumpers.
“We’re definitely cleaning the glass up and we all had to rebound,” James said.