The Cleveland Cavaliers have faced a barrage of injuries to their key players throughout the season, leaving only Jarrett Allen relatively unscathed with 60 games played. With Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus still on the sidelines, the Cavs are aiming for full health by the NBA playoffs.
With just 12 games left in the season and still holding the third seed in the Eastern Conference, maintaining this position would greatly benefit their playoff aspirations. Avoiding the Boston Celtics’ bracket is crucial, as the New York Knicks are hot on their heels, ready to capitalize on any slip-ups.
The competition for NBA playoff berths is heating up, making the dream scenario of an ideal seeding a welcome prospect for Cavs fans.
In terms of playoff matchups, the Cavs would prefer to avoid the Knicks due to past struggles. The Orlando Magic might seem like a favorable opponent, but their strong defense makes them a formidable challenge.
The optimal matchup for the Cavs would be against the Indiana Pacers or a Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The Pacers lack the defensive tools to contain Mitchell and Darius Garland, while facing the Sixers without Embiid would play into Cleveland’s hands.
If they advance past the first round, the Cavs could face the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, in a closely contested series. While the Bucks have the edge in experience, the Cavs’ defensive prowess, particularly with Mobley and Allen, could neutralize Antetokounmpo’s dominance.
A matchup with the Boston Celtics would pose difficulties for the Cavs, making their elimination early in the playoffs a desirable outcome. This would open up a clearer path to the finals, potentially facing teams like the Miami Heat or New York Knicks in the Conference Finals.
