The Cleveland Cavaliers are gradually building a case that they have the best team in all of basketball.
Several weeks ago, they defeated the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, and this past Wednesday, they got past the Oklahoma City Thunder, the best team in the Western Conference, while hanging 129 points on a Thunder defense that is the best in the league.
This week, the Cavs will have two nationally televised games, including another one versus the Thunder on Thursday, per Nick Camino.
#Cavs on National TV twice this week…
Tuesday on TNT vs. the Pacers (7:00pm ET)
Thursday on TNT vs. the Thunder (7:30pm ET)
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) January 13, 2025
Cleveland continues to rank first in offensive rating, field-goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage, as well as second in points per game, and they had won 12 games in a row until that streak was snapped on Sunday by the Indiana Pacers, who held them to a paltry 93 points.
But for all the talk about their improved offense, their defense remains solid — they rank ninth in defensive rating.
The biggest key to their success has arguably been new head coach Kenny Atkinson, who has loosened the reins on offense.
In addition, starting power forward Evan Mobley, who has long been thought to be brimming with star potential, has upped his scoring this season to 18.9 points a game.
Cleveland has the NBA’s best record at 33-5 coming into Monday, and while they could be on pace to finish with 70 wins, the Thunder are breathing down their necks with a 32-6 record.
Another win over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and crew on Thursday would go a long way in proving that they’re ready to win it all this summer.
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