The Boston Celtics have been one of the most consistent and dominant teams in the NBA for several years now. As of the 2024-2025 season, they remain a perennial title contender, with a roster featuring some of the league’s most talented players. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that has been rebuilding for the past few seasons, have come out strong with a hot start to their 2024 campaign. This begs the question: should the Celtics be worried about the Cavaliers’ early-season success?
To answer this, we need to look at several factors, including the makeup of both teams, the Cavaliers’ hot start, the Celtics’ strength, and the historical context of early-season performances. By analyzing these aspects, we can determine whether the Cavaliers’ success is a fleeting flash in the pan or a legitimate challenge to Boston’s position as a contender.
The State of the Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been among the best teams in the NBA over the past few seasons. With stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, they have established themselves as one of the most potent offenses in the league, while also being among the top defensive teams. The team has reached the Eastern Conference Finals multiple times in recent years and has been one of the top threats to win the NBA championship.
In the 2024 season, the Celtics retained most of their core and added key pieces like Kristaps Porzingis, a skilled big man capable of spacing the floor and providing another scoring option. This gives them an even greater level of versatility. The team has an elite coach in Joe Mazzulla, who has led the team to consistent success.
However, with such high expectations, there is always the possibility of complacency, injuries, or internal challenges. The Celtics’ success in the regular season is not always a guarantee of playoff success, as seen in the past when they struggled to close out series or faced teams that played with greater intensity.
The Cavaliers’ Hot Start
In contrast, the Cleveland Cavaliers were seen as a team in the middle of a rebuild just a few seasons ago. However, they made significant strides last year, finishing with a strong record and securing a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their young core, led by the dynamic guard Darius Garland and the towering center Evan Mobley, has been growing in leaps and bounds.
The key addition to their roster, Donovan Mitchell, was a game-changer for the Cavaliers, offering them the offensive firepower and leadership they needed to take the next step. Mitchell’s performance has been outstanding, and he has given the Cavaliers the scoring punch they had been missing in prior years.
As of the 2024-2025 season, the Cavaliers have come out of the gates firing. Their defense has been exceptional, with Mobley emerging as a true Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Garland’s playmaking, coupled with Mitchell’s scoring and the inside presence of Mobley, has created a balanced and dangerous team. The Cavaliers’ fast start to the season is a testament to their talent, growth, and commitment to competing at a high level.
While their record has been impressive, the question remains: how sustainable is this success? Is it a product of early-season excitement and teams adjusting to new rosters, or is this the beginning of a shift in the balance of power in the East?
Head-to-Head Matchups: Celtics vs. Cavaliers
When examining whether the Celtics should be concerned about the Cavaliers’ hot start, it’s important to consider how both teams match up against each other.
Offensive Firepower:
The Celtics have an elite offense with multiple scoring options. Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the league and can take over games offensively. Jaylen Brown provides another high-level scoring option, and the addition of Kristaps Porzingis gives them a versatile big man who can stretch the floor. Additionally, Marcus Smart provides strong playmaking and defense. The Cavaliers, while talented, do not have as many proven offensive weapons. Mitchell is an elite scorer, but Garland and Mobley, while very talented, are still developing players in terms of consistency on the offensive end.
Defensive Ability:
The Cavaliers have one of the best defenses in the league, largely due to Evan Mobley, who is a defensive juggernaut and a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. The Celtics are also a strong defensive team, with Smart being the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The Celtics’ defense is more reliant on their team concept and versatility, while the Cavaliers’ defense is more about individual brilliance, particularly from Mobley. In a series, the Celtics’ offensive firepower would likely test Cleveland’s defense, while the Cavaliers’ ability to stifle scoring from opposing teams could make for a fascinating battle.
Depth:
The Celtics have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. They have multiple players who can contribute on both ends of the floor. While the Cavaliers have made significant strides in this area, they are not quite as deep as the Celtics. Cleveland has a solid rotation, but outside of their top three players (Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley), they lack the kind of depth that could make them competitive in a seven-game series with the Celtics.
Experience in the Playoffs:
This is another area where the Celtics hold a significant advantage. Boston has been to the Eastern Conference Finals multiple times in recent seasons and has playoff-tested veterans. In contrast, while Mitchell has postseason experience, many of Cleveland’s key players are still relatively inexperienced in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs. This could be a critical factor in a potential series between these two teams.
Are the Cavaliers For Real?
While the Cavaliers’ hot start to the season is impressive, it’s important to evaluate whether this is sustainable. In the NBA, early-season success can sometimes be misleading. Teams often have varying levels of chemistry, and injuries can impact a team’s trajectory. The Cavaliers have shown that they are a more cohesive unit than in past years, but they will need to maintain their form throughout the grueling 82-game season. Moreover, the Cavaliers have not faced the level of competition that some of the top-tier teams like the Celtics have over the course of the season.
In a playoff scenario, the Cavaliers will likely be tested by the intensity and experience of other elite teams, including the Celtics. While they have the talent to compete, their ability to perform under pressure will be crucial. The Celtics have proven they can handle the ups and downs of the postseason, and it remains to be seen if the Cavaliers can match that level of poise and consistency.
Historical Context of Early-Season Success
Historically, the NBA has seen teams get off to hot starts only to fade as the season progresses. Early-season success can sometimes be attributed to factors like schedule strength, team chemistry, and the unexpected rise of players, but it’s not always indicative of long-term success. The Celtics, as a well-coached and experienced team, know how to maintain their level of play through the ups and downs of an NBA season.
For the Cavaliers, maintaining their early-season momentum will be critical. If they can continue to build upon their early success and stay healthy, they could very well remain a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. But the real test will come in the postseason, when the level of competition ramps up, and every possession matters.
Conclusion: Should the Celtics Be Concerned?
While the Cleveland Cavaliers’ hot start to the 2024-2025 season is certainly impressive and should not be dismissed, there is no immediate cause for the Boston Celtics to be truly threatened by them. The Celtics have more depth, more playoff experience, and a more well-rounded roster. The Cavaliers are a team on the rise and have the potential to be a serious contender in the future, but they will need to prove that they can sustain this level of play over the course of the season and in a playoff series against teams like Boston.
Ultimately, the Celtics’ championship aspirations remain firmly intact. However, the Cavaliers’ strong start does signal that the Eastern Conference is becoming increasingly competitive, and teams like Cleveland will need to be taken seriously in the coming seasons. If the Cavaliers continue to grow and improve, they could eventually become a major threat to the Celtics’ dominance in the East, but for now, Boston remains the team to beat.