By Jordan Black
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a mission. With a dominant 48-10 record, they sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, boasting the best mark in the league. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, their defense remains stout, and their core players are thriving under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. But with the postseason on the horizon, the question remains: Do they have what it takes to finally break through and win the East?
A Dominant Regular Season
There’s no denying the Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season. They’re outscoring opponents by an average margin of 11.7 points per game, a testament to both their offensive firepower and defensive efficiency. Their home record of 27-4 is the best in the league, and they’ve proven just as formidable on the road, posting an impressive 21-6 mark.
Offensively, the Cavaliers are playing at a higher pace than ever before, ranking 9th in pace (100.71) after finishing 24th last season. They’re averaging 122.9 points per game, the highest in the East, and have developed a lethal perimeter attack, setting a new franchise record for consecutive games with 10+ made three-pointers. The ball movement has been crisp, their “drive, swing, swing” offensive philosophy generating high-quality looks across the floor.
But the real story is their depth. Donovan Mitchell remains the team’s primary scorer at 24.0 points per game, while Darius Garland (6.7 assists per game) orchestrates the offense. Jarrett Allen (10.4 rebounds per game) anchors the paint, and Evan Mobley (1.6 blocks per game) continues to develop into one of the league’s best young two-way players.
What’s Different This Year?
A key reason for Cleveland’s leap forward is their ability to stay healthy. Last season, their core players missed a combined 89 games due to injuries. This year, they’ve only missed four. That stability has allowed Atkinson to implement a more dynamic offense, moving away from the isolation-heavy sets that often stalled in the postseason.
Another major factor is Evan Mobley’s offensive growth. The 23-year-old forward has tripled his three-point attempts and efficiency, stretching defenses in ways he never did before. That added spacing has allowed Jarrett Allen more room to operate inside and has made Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland even more dangerous in pick-and-roll situations.
Additionally, Cleveland’s improved shooting has been a game-changer. They now lead the league in three-point percentage, a stark contrast to last year when their offense often stagnated in big moments due to inconsistent perimeter shooting.
The Playoff Question Mark
The Cavaliers are a juggernaut in the regular season, but their true test will come in the postseason. Despite their dominance this year, Cleveland hasn’t made it past the second round since 2018, and last year’s playoff run exposed some key flaws.
In 2024, they barely survived the first round against the Orlando Magic, needing a historic comeback in Game 7 to avoid elimination. Then came their 1-4 series loss to the Boston Celtics—a stark reminder that they weren’t yet in the same tier as the conference’s elite.
As of late, their struggles have stemmed from:
• Inconsistency under pressure: Their near-collapse against Orlando highlighted a lack of composure in high-stakes moments.
• Struggles against elite teams: The loss to Boston showed a significant gap between Cleveland and the top contenders.
• Lack of deep playoff experience: The core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Allen has only 12 playoff games together (5-7 record)—a fraction of what teams like Milwaukee and Boston have.
These concerns still linger. Winning 60+ regular season games is great, but does this team have the mental toughness to survive the grind of a deep playoff run?
Can They Win the East?
The Cavaliers are undoubtedly a better, more balanced team than they were a year ago. Their depth is stronger, their offense is more dynamic, and their defense remains one of the league’s best. But the true measuring stick will be how they fare against the Celtics and Bucks in a seven-game series.
Cleveland has already lost to Boston twice this season and the playoffs are a different beast. Their ability to maintain composure in close games and execute in the half-court will ultimately decide their fate.
Right now, they’re legitimate contenders. But whether they can get over the hump and win the East? That answer will only come in May and June.
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