Plenty of people are still reluctant to consider the Cleveland Cavaliers true championship contenders, even though they have raced out to a 15-0 record so far this season.
They will have the opportunity to prove they are for real when they head to New England on Tuesday to play the Boston Celtics, the defending NBA champions who ushered them out of the second round of last season’s playoffs in five games.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson said that Tuesday’s matchup will be great for the league and the franchise.
“This is just great for the NBA,” said Atkinson.
"This is just great for the NBA."
Cavs HC Kenny Atkinson on needing to go through the Boston Celtics next game to keep their undefeated season alive 🍿 pic.twitter.com/FiSIMnBKdv
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 18, 2024
The Cavs have mostly the same core they possessed last season, but Atkinson, who replaced J.B. Bickerstaff during the offseason, has transformed an offense that was only fair to middling in the past, and it has resulted in them going undefeated to this point.
They rank first in points per game, field goal percentage, 3-point accuracy, free throw percentage and offensive rating, and they’re playing at a faster pace this season, as evidenced by the fact that they rank ninth in fast-break points per game.
Starting point guard Darius Garland has rebounded so far after what many saw as something of an off-year for him last season, while big man Evan Mobley may be in the process of elevating his offensive game.
A win over the Celtics would likely result in many pundits elevating the Cavs into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, a place that is currently inhabited by only the Celtics and perhaps the New York Knicks.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals How The Cavs Can Get National Respect
