Are the Boston Celtics threats to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference throne?
Does the Boston Celtics recent win streak mean they are finally true threats to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference throne?
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have been to three straight Finals, have had their early season struggles while the Celtics are on a fifteen-game win streak. Although the Cavs have quietly rattled off four straight victories, the C’s have been clicking on cylinders and been in the spotlight much more often. But, do the numbers back up their impressive streak?
After starting off 0-2, the Boston Celtics sit atop the Eastern Conference at 15-2 with the next best team being the Detroit Pistons at 10-5. They also had a quality victory over the Golden State Warriors after being down double-digits at several times throughout the game.
The main reason for the success in Boston has been their defense. They have clearly been the best defensive team in the NBA with a defensive rating of just 95.9. The Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder join them as the only three teams with a rating of under 100.
Another key reason for the Celtics’ success has been the sudden emergence of both Jaylen Brown, the second-year wing, and Jayson Tatum, who was drafted in the 2017 NBA draft with the fourth overall pick.
Brown has averaged 15.8 points per game along with 6.6 rebounds per game. On the other hand, Tatum has averaged 13.9 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. However, the most important stats backing the two player’s stellar play is their field goal percentage. They have shot 45.7% and 49.4% respectively.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
With Brown, Tatum, Irving, and Horford all excelling, it looks like the Boston Celtics could easily hit 60 wins this season. The Cavaliers, who have been the top dog in the Eastern Conference for three straight seasons, have yet to dominate the regular season, recording under 60 wins in all three seasons. However, the Cavaliers have been the two seed in two of those three seasons, and back in the 2014-2015 season, they saw a team that was similar to this Boston Celtics’ team.
At the end of the 2014-2015 season, the Atlanta Hawks finished atop the East and were considered strong contenders to the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. That season, the Hawks finished with a superb100.7 defensive rating. Al Horford, who has been a stellar defender his entire season, was on that Hawks’ team back in 2015. The Cavs ended up sweeping the Hawks and actually scored 114 or more in two of the four games.
Their will, for the time being, be one main difference between the two teams. One has LeBron James and the other does not have four superstars.
Just like in the season opener between the Celtics and Cavs, LeBron James was unstoppable. He ended with a game-high 29 points along with a game-high 16 rebounds. LeBron James has been a monster this season, averaging 28.9 points per game, which is the third most in the NBA. In the postseason, James turns into a different type of monster, accelerating his scoring and efficiency. That said, although the C’s have proven to be a great defensive team. However, when it comes to the postseason, it might be more of the same type of dominance from LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
Must Read: Did LeBron James hold Kyrie Irving back?
The Boston Celtics made a fantastic trade to get Kyrie Irving this season along with drafting Jayson Tatum, who could prove to be a phenomenal player. Danny Ainge has made incredible moves to improve his team, but the Celtics will be threats to the Cavaliers, but not without Gordon Hayward.
As for next season, this could be a much different story.