Can Red-Hot Eastern Conference Foe Hang With Celtics In Long Run?

The Boston Celtics have performed up to par for the most part, but the Eastern Conference, so far, has been ruled by the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers, who went five games against the Celtics in last season’s East semifinals round, have caught fire early. Cleveland has gone unbeaten through its first 13 games, is ranked first in points (122.4) and field-goal percentage (52%) among all teams in the NBA and has two 20-plus-point scorers leading the way in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.

Still, is it enough to beat Boston come playoff time?

“What Cleveland is doing, I think it is sustainable,” Travis Thomas said on NESN’s “Hold My Banner” podcast. “I do believe this team is the truth. In a seven-game series, however, I’m taking the Celtics. Can they push it to six? Can it go seven? Sure, I don’t know. It wouldn’t shock me. But in the end, the Celtics, I think, will be the team to come out of the East. But I do believe what Cleveland is doing is sustainable and I do believe that when the smoke clears, they could be the team standing there or trying to block the Celtics from getting a repeat.”

Before firing head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavaliers were competing with Boston. Cleveland entered last season’s postseason clash against Boston without All-Star starting center Jarrett Allen and lost Mitchell midway through the series. It’s far too early to submit any predictions, but so far the Cavaliers have done their part to garner belief.

Watch the rest of NESN’s “Hold My Banner” podcast here”