3 bold predictions for the surprisingly good Cavs in 2022

3 bold predictions for the Cavs in 2022: 2. Cleveland wins 3 postseason games

The Cleveland Cavaliers last won a playoff series without LeBron James in 1993. For those who don’t feel like doing the math, that was 29 years ago. James brought consistent postseason success and a championship to this team, but they have been completely lost without him.

That changed this year, as the Cavs have been among the best teams in the Eastern Conference. By pure numbers, the Cavaliers should be favored to win at least one series, if not two, but that is a misapplication of their strong performance. This team has limited postseason experience and is very young; making the playoffs will be about experience, not about ultimate success. That’s the acceptable reality for a team this young.

Yet they aren’t a team playing over its head or riding hot shooting, and they won’t be an easy out in the playoffs. The loss of Ricky Rubio hurts, and it’s the primary reason I don’t expect the Cavs to win a series. Yet they could absolutely win multiple games; they are much better than the typical 7 or 8 seed expected to be swept in the first round.

The loss of Rubio and the gut-punch of COVID absences, not to mention the loss of Sexton earlier in the season and other absences sure to come, could result in the Cavs falling into the play-in. Whether it’s a play-in win plus two in the first round, or forcing a Game 7 as a higher seed, the Cavs are not a pushover and will win at least three postseason games this season.