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The month of March is absolutely crucial for the Cavaliers’ playoff chase

By Josh Ungar

Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /
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Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers faltered down the stretch and wound up in the Play-In Tournament where they lost to the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks. This season, the Cavs are poised to avoid the Play-In and go straight into the playoffs. They’re fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 39-26 record (seven and a half games out of first). In order to have a successful playoff run, the month of March is absolutely crucial for the Cavaliers.

After grinding out a 132-123 overtime victory in Boston on Oct. 28 and eking out a 114-113 OT victory in Cleveland on Nov. 2, the Cavaliers led the season series against the Boston Celtics 2-0. All five starters scored double digits for the Cavaliers in their one-point victory in Cleveland: Evan Mobley had 15 points, Jarrett Allen added 14, Darius Garland poured in 29 points, Caris LeVert contributed 15, and Donovan Mitchell added 25.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a tough stretch of games ahead

In a span of six days, the Celtics and Cavaliers will “exchange pleasantries” twice. First, they squared off at TD Garden in Boston on Mar. 1 on ESPN. Boston defeated Cleveland 117-113. Jayson Tatum led the victorious Celtics with 41 points. Mitchell had 44 points for the Cavaliers. Although the Cavs can no longer sweep the Celtics, they can still win the season series 3-1 when the two teams turn around and tangle at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (RMFH) in downtown Cleveland on Monday.

The energy inside the FieldHouse for Monday’s game between the Celtics and Cavaliers is going to be off the charts. An argument could be made that it’s the biggest game of the season thus far for Cleveland. They have the opportunity to win the season series against the defending Eastern Conference champions. If this prospect comes to fruition, the Cavs would be sending a powerful message to the Celtics. “If we face you in the playoffs, we’re not going to be a pushover. If you want to advance to the next round, we’re gonna make you earn it!”