Few NBA teams have been as hot as the Cleveland Cavaliers since the start of February, propelling the franchise to a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers are currently 38-22 for the year, thanks in large part to the seven-game winning streak the team is rolling through at the moment.
With wins over Memphis, Indiana, Washington, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago and San Antonio, it seems the J.B. Bickerstaff-coached club is in solid shape to post its best year-end record since going 51-31 in 2016-17.
Cleveland’s recent run has given a boost to Ohio sports betting.
The Cavs are +2000 to win the NBA championship at BetMGM Sportsbook Ohio, ranking 10th in the league. The Cavs’ also are listed at +900 to win the Eastern Conference, ranking fourth behind Boston (+140), Milwaukee (+240) and Philadelphia (+450).
BetOhio.com wanted to contextualize how unique the Cavaliers success this season is among the franchise’s teams that didn’t feature LeBron James.
Here’s where this year’s team ranks in the franchise’s record books, as the Cavaliers look to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Best Non-Lebron Cavs Teams By Win %
- 1988-89: 57-25 (.695)
- 1991-92: 57-25 (.695)
- 1992-93: 54-28 (.659)
- 2022-23: 38-22 (.633)
- 1975-76: 49-33 (.598)
- 1993-94: 47-35 (.573)
- 1995-96: 47-35 (.573)
- 1997-98: 47-35 (.573)
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Could 2023 Be Year Of The Cavalier?
The Cavaliers currently sit three games behind the Bucks in the Central Division as they look to capture the franchise’s eighth division title.
A big reason for the franchise’s renaissance season has been the play of guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
The two have averaged more than 20 points per game (26.9 and 21.8, to be exact) and have combined to average 4.9 and 8.0 assists per game this year.
Throw in the ever-improving play of forward Evan Mobley, who is averaging career highs in points (15.6), rebounds (8.9) and field goal percentage (55.4%) in his second season in the NBA, and you have a trio capable of potentially leading a deep playoff run.
A pair of veterans, in center Jarrett Allen and shooting guard Caris LeVert, round out Cleveland’s rotation, adding 14.7 and 12.3 points per game, respectively. That five-man scoring threat means opponents must respect each of Cleveland’s starters, which opens up opportunities for teammates when they try to double-team Mitchell or Garland.
That likely explains why Cleveland’s offensive rating (115.4) is the highest in the team’s 53-year history, despite having a slower pace (95.6) than any of the previous six Cavaliers teams.
Allen has been the team’s leader in win shares according to BasketballReference.com at 7.3, beating out Mitchell (6.4), Garland and Mobley (6.0 apiece), serving as one of the cogs that’s made the Cavaliers so hard to beat.
Where Will The Cavaliers Go From Here?
Aiding the Cavaliers on their quest for the postseason is an easy slate of opponents in the team’s remaining 22 regular season games.
According to basketball site Tankathon.com, Cleveland currently has the third-easiest strength of schedule in the 30-team league, at .476, ahead of only the Thunder (.473) and Pelicans (.471).
Conversely, the Bucks have a brutal slate ahead of them, with the ninth-hardest strength of schedule in the league (.514).
Cleveland has games left against Denver and Toronto at home and against the 76ers and Atlanta away to close out February.
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