We are now entering into the home stretch of the NBA Season. Many teams are finding the right rotation and personnel for a playoff run, while others will be looking to end their season on a good note and rebuild for next season. The Cleveland Cavaliers, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, are making a push to the playoffs. Minus the Play-In Tournament last season, the Cavs are on the cusp of clinching their first playoff berth since the 2017-2018 season, where they made the NBA Finals, ultimately getting swept by the Golden State Warriors.
For teams to have success in the playoffs, X-factors come into play. The more positive X-factors, the better for any NBA franchise. However, X-factors can go both ways, depending on how you view the situation.
Here, we’ll emphasize three X-factors for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the rest of the season.
The first pertains to their leader on the sideline.
X-factor No. 1: J.B. Bickerstaff
One X-factor for the Cavs is the head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff, no doubt, has done a tremendous job with the team and where he has them positioned. With that being said, the playoffs are a different animal, entirely.
Bickerstaff will have to put his best foot forward and out-coach coaches such as, Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat, Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers, Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks and Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics.
Several of these coaches have tons of playoff experience, with Rivers, Spoelstra and Budenholzer having championships to their name. Although this is Mazzulla’s first year head coaching, he was on the Boston Celtics staff that represented the Eastern Conference just a year ago. Couple that with bringing back the same players, along with added depth, makes for a recipe for success.
Bickerstaff’s play calling will be critical in key moments for the Cavaliers, such as the two-minute stretch and stopping runs, when they occur. Knowing when and where to play key players is pivotal as well. If Bickerstaff can keep his team on the straightened narrow, we could be in for a treat and the Cavaliers making a successful run in the playoffs.
X-factor No. 2: Donovan Mitchell
A second X-factor for the Cavs is Donovan Mitchell. In Mitchell’s first year with the Cavs, he has been an integral part of why the team is in the position to make a run in the playoffs. Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ lone All-Star, has shined in being with the team.
Mitchell is currently averaging 27.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season. He’s shooting a career-best 47.7% from the field and a career-best 37.8% from three. He has truly excelled as being an emerging superstar in this league, but it is important for Mitchell to keep his exceptional play going into the playoffs. Everything stops and goes with the star player. If Mitchell can continue on this path, the Cavs can surprise some people and make a legit run to the NBA Finals.
X-factor No. 3: Health
A third X factor for the Cavs is their health. Multiple Cavaliers have missed time due to various injuries. Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have missed time, most notably. When healthy, the Cavs’ lineup is loaded and can compete with anybody in the league, not to mention a young core that can contest for years to come. As with all teams, the issue is always health. Particularly with this NBA season, health is vital.
Multiple superstars on various teams are out with injury. Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Paul George are just a few. The unfortunate risk of one bad break can be the end of a team’s season, though.
Hopefully, the Wine and Gold won’t have to go through this and have a legit shot at going for a title.