Could the Cleveland Cavaliers Be the Dark Horse of the Eastern Conference Playoffs?

According to statistics, the Cleveland Cavaliers rank 5th in the NBA in overall field goal percentage, which is an impressive accomplishment. Furthermore, when it comes to advanced metrics, the Cavs are 9th in Offensive Rating and 3rd in Defensive Rating. These rankings are based on a points per 100 possessions calculation, indicating that the team performs well on both sides of the court.

The addition of Donovan Mitchell to the team has already yielded positive results, and the Cavaliers are looking to make some noise in the playoffs. The combination of Mitchell and Garland on the court is like watching poetry in motion. They play together so seamlessly that it is a joy to watch. Their playing styles complement each other perfectly, and when combined with the talents of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers have a young core of players who possess the talent to compete with the best teams in the league.

Despite the size that Mobley and Allen provide, the Cavaliers rank in the bottom third of the league when it comes to rebounding. The lack of offensive rebounds limits second chance opportunities, which can result in potential close wins turning into losses. This is a factor that separates good teams from great ones.

The Cavs’ slower pace of play also contributes to a limited number of field goal attempts. However, this may be an advantage in the playoffs, as the game tends to favor teams that can slow down the pace, take and make good shots, and play solid defense. The Cleveland team has demonstrated the ability to excel in all these areas. The Cavaliers have shown they can compete against some of the best teams in the East, as evidenced by their victories over the Boston Celtics earlier in the season.

The Eastern Conference playoffs are shaping up to be an exciting event this year, with the departure of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Western Conference opening up opportunities for other teams. Could the Cavaliers be one of the teams to make a deep playoff run? It is possible, depending on how the final seeding works out. The Cleveland team has the talent, teamwork, and determination to make a real impact in the postseason, and it will be interesting to see how they perform.