https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2023-24-week-17
NBA points:
* They’ve had their entire starting lineup for six of their last seven games, but the lineup averaged just 10.6 minutes per game over those six, down from 13.2 per game prior to the extended absences of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who’ve both averaged less than 26 minutes since their returns.
* Staggering has worked, as the Cavs have been ridiculously good when Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen have been on the floor without Garland or Mobley (plus-21.0 points per 100 possessions in 89 minutes) and when Garland and Mobley have been on the floor without Mitchell or Allen (plus-23.9 in 61 minutes) over the five straight games when all five have been available. The defense has been particularly good (94.6 allowed per 100) in those 150 total minutes.
ESPN: The Cavs are winners of nine in a row and 17 of their past 18 games and arguably the hottest team in the league. Cleveland is still searching for its first playoff series win without LeBron since 1993, but with a defense that ranks second and Donovan Mitchell playing even better than last season, the Cavs have the makeup of a contender in the East.
by NewAltWhoThis
7 Comments
For once this feels fair. I could see the Cavs being two, but at least we’re no longer in the 6-10 range.
I agree, go Cavs
You know they can write the first playoff series win since 2018. I hate how often they put the LeBron qualifier like those playoff wins somehow don’t count cause LeBron was here.
The recognition is finally coming. Windy’s latest podcast featured the Cavs, and to my amazement, it seemed like they had actually watched them play.
What we’re doing is absolutely working. My only concern is if it will work in the playoffs too.
Still no reason to put Clippers above Cavaliers.
Clippers have one good player. That is it. You can hard focus Kawhi Leonard, slow him down some, and beat the Clippers on this alone. The Cavs beat them, and their team is so much more well-rounded. In the last game, 8 guys had double figures, nobody had over 20.
There is no winning strategy against the Cavaliers. The Cavs have to outplay themselves in order to lose.
I hate how they say without Lebron. Like he wasn’t a Cavalier. Why the need to separate?
edit: oh wait it’s ESPN.