Cavaliers’ Reality Check Against Celtics Proves They’re Legitimate Contenders!

The intensity of the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers hadn’t been this palpable since the days LeBron James was a Cavalier. But now, Cleveland is back on the map. This current Cavaliers team is a far cry from last year’s squad, which overly depended on Donovan Mitchell. Despite a thrilling but heartbreaking 120-117 loss that halted their impressive 15-game win streak from the start of the season, the Cavaliers have proven they are a force to be reckoned with.

The game itself was a spectacle. Initially, it seemed like it might not be much of a contest. The Celtics started strong, sinking five three-pointers in the first quarter and nine by the second. They limited the Cavaliers to shooting just 43.2% in the first half and a mere 28.6% from beyond the arc. Darius Garland missed easy shots, and Evan Mobley was off his game from three-point land. At halftime, the Celtics looked every bit the defending champions, while the Cavaliers resembled a team destined for an early playoff exit.

“They brought the intensity and physicality of the playoffs,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. “We were still playing with regular-season intensity.”

In the second half, Cleveland’s game plan changed. Typically, a hot streak from downtown is the fastest way to close a gap. However, the Cavaliers don’t rely solely on their three-point shooting despite leading the league with a stellar 41.9% from three. They focus on a balanced attack. In the third quarter alone, the Cavs scored 40 points, including 22 in the paint, trimming a 17-point deficit to just five.

“We stick to our style of play,” Atkinson emphasized.

Atkinson’s influence has been significant. TNT analyst Charles Barkley noted before the game that Atkinson deserved another opportunity to lead a team. “We praised Kenny Atkinson for his excellent work in Brooklyn,” Barkley said. “Then Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving arrived and he was pushed out. This man can coach.”

Indeed, there were doubts about the decision to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, who had steered the Cavs through tough times post-John Beilein and into the playoffs. Yet Atkinson, ousted from Brooklyn before he could fully implement his vision, has been outstanding. He has utilized Mobley in a versatile role similar to Draymond Green, managed the playing time between Garland and Mitchell effectively, and has deepened the rotation to ensure no player is overburdened.

Mitchell remains as dynamic as ever, able to carry the team when needed. After a quiet start, scoring 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting over three quarters, he exploded in the fourth with 18 points. His efforts included a critical three-pointer from 30 feet out with 24 seconds left, narrowing the gap to four points. Subsequent free throws brought them within three, but time ran out for a complete comeback.

“I never doubted our ability to fight back,” Mitchell asserted. “We’ll keep battling.”

This Cavaliers team is no longer in a rebuilding phase; they are largely built. While Mobley continues to refine his offensive skills, he’s already a formidable defensive presence. Garland struggled with shooting against Boston (3-of-21) but has otherwise posted career-high percentages this season. Six Cavaliers are averaging double figures in scoring, and their bench ranks among the top five in several key statistical categories.

Boston is no longer a benchmark they aspire to meet; they believe they are on equal footing now.

They are ready to compete at this level.

Post-game, Atkinson reviewed the statistics. “Fifty-three percent from three,” he noted, reflecting on Boston’s sharpshooting. The teams are scheduled to meet again on December 1 in Cleveland, and Atkinson already sees areas for improvement. He was pleased that the Celtics were limited to 41 three-point attempts, down from their season average, and believes further defensive tweaks could reduce that number even more. He also expects a more aggressive approach from Garland in their next encounter.

“There’s much we can take from this game,” Atkinson said. “We’ll see them again soon, and there’s plenty we can improve on.”

The Cavs are well-positioned in a tumultuous Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks have been inconsistent, the Philadelphia 76ers are already holding crisis meetings, and the Milwaukee Bucks have only just improved to a 5-9 record after winning three of their last four games. Cleveland may have been the underdog this Tuesday, but they don’t see that as a permanent state.

“It’s definitely a benchmark,” Mitchell said. “It gives us a clear perspective on where we stand, but we won’t dwell on it too much because our focus is on continued improvement.”

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