We’re one week into the NBA’s 2020/21 season, and just four of the league’s 30 teams have yet to lose a game. A handful of Eastern Conference teams – the Pacers, Magic, Hawks, and Cavaliers – make up that unlikely foursome.
While all four of those clubs are 3-0, they may not be undefeated much longer. This NBA season has been an unpredictable one so far, with unexpected blowouts and upsets taking place on a nightly basis. And as good as these teams have looked so far, I don’t expect any of them to be a powerhouse this season — it seems unlikely that we’ll see a 10-0 run to start the season.
Here are the upcoming schedules for each of the NBA’s four undefeated teams:
- Indiana Pacers: vs. BOS (12/29), vs. CLE (12/31), vs. NYK (1/2), at NOP (1/4), vs. HOU (1/6)
- Orlando Magic: at OKC (12/29), vs. PHI (12/31), vs. OKC (1/2), vs. CLE (1/4), vs. CLE (1/6)
- Atlanta Hawks: at BKN (12/30), at BKN (1/1), vs. CLE (1/2), vs. NYK (1/4), vs. CHA (1/6)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: vs. NYK (12/29), at IND (12/31), at ATL (1/2), at ORL (1/4), at ORL (1/6)
We want to know what you think: Which of these four undefeated teams will be the last to lose a game?
While it may be tempting to write off the Magic and Cavaliers, given their modest preseason expectations, the Pacers and Hawks have tough games on tap — Indiana will have to beat a Boston team that it squeaked past by a single point on Sunday, while Atlanta will be facing a rested Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn tomorrow.
Of the four undefeated teams, the Cavaliers have the most favorable fourth game (at home vs. the Knicks), but they’re missing power forward Kevin Love. And even if they get past New York, they improbably have games on tap against the other three undefeated clubs.
A year ago, the Sixers were the only team in the NBA to win more than three consecutive games to start the season. Will multiple squads do it this year? And which will remain undefeated the longest?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in with your predictions!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Don’t think it will sustain but Magic have “easiest” upcoming schedule. Who knows though kind of like betting which dog poop is the smelliest lol
What is all this crap about the Western Conference superiority over the Eastern Conference?
What crap? The parity in the east is glaring.
Lol idk if there is a such thing as “glaring parity”…
Bold prediction – they all lose their next game.
Also….okay Cavs, we see you!! Our passing and ball movement is great! We’ll see how the season develops, but our goal could be shooting for the playoff play-in games. Go Cavs:)
So you’re picking ATL then.
Lol I guess you’re technically right
lol, I maybe agree with you, but the Knicks are so bad (although so is Cleveland) and OKC isn’t that great either (and Orlando is probably pretty good).
Ik but the Knicks destroyed us in our preseason games and just beat up the Bucks, so I’m worried they are going to be confident tonight. But we’ll see in just a couple hours
GO CAVS!
I have the Pacers losing to the Celts and probably Cavs, Atlanta splitting with Brooklyn, and the Magic play Philly before Cavs play Atlanta, so I voted Cavs.
ORL loses tonight @OKC
IND lose tonight to BOS
ATL loses Wed @BRK
CLE loses @IND Thurs
If I were betting these as individual games on a straight win/lose bet, today, I’d bet on Boston over the Pacers today, so Indiana is out. Cleveland-Knicks is a pick ‘em — both teams are bad, but I’ll give it to Cleveland at home. Orlando over OKC. Tomorrow, I’d take Brooklyn at home over ATL, so ATL is out. On NYE, I’d bet against both Orlando (at home vs. Philly) and Cleveland (at the Pacers, who are coming off their first loss in this scenario). The Cleveland/Pacers game will be over before the Orlando/Philly game, so by this measure, Orlando will be the last to lose. That conclusion is strengthened by the fact toss up nature of Cleveland/Knicks, meaning Cleveland is far less likely to be undefeated coming into the NYE games than Orlando is.
Wise take
Thunder if Shai ball went in final second
Cavs & Knicks won’t be so horrible. CLE has the other three next!