By defeating Chicago on Tuesday, the Cavaliers secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2016, as ESPN.com relays.
“Yeah, I mean I think you celebrate these moments,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “You know, we’ll talk about going forward, what that looks like, but today, tonight we celebrate. And, you know, I think the guys are super happy in that locker room.”
Cleveland’s victory also means that the defending champion Celtics are locked into the No. 2 seed in the East entering the playoffs.
Atkinson said he’ll talk to his coaching staff and players about the plan for the final three games of the season — resting regulars is one option. He said he would prefer Donovan Mitchell to sit the remaining regular season contests to fully heal after sustaining a left ankle sprain on Sunday. Mitchell missed Tuesday’s game with the injury.
“I think there are various options on the table. It’s going to be a collaborative thing and the players are part of it,” Atkinson said. “What is their feel on rhythm? We can do intrasquad scrimmages to prepare. We can do a lot of things to get ready.”
The Rockets didn’t play on Tuesday, but they clinched the No. 2 seed in the West when the Thunder beat the Lakers, notes Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle. The Thunder secured the West’s top seed three weeks ago.
Unlike the East, where the six guaranteed playoff spots were already known last week, the three through six spots in the West are still up for grabs. Only two games separate the No. 3 Lakers from the No. 8 Timberwolves with the regular season set to conclude on Sunday.
Cavs pacers rd 2 should be awesome
Similar records since the All Star Break.
link to statmuse.com
Congratulations to Cavs. Not many had them here. Still growing as a team. Its showtime now …..
IMO, for playoffs, Cavs are the most difficult to project of any team in the East.
They’ve been progressively less impressive over the course of the season.
Their Championship odds are now a distant third behind OKC and BOS. Is the decline a reflection of other teams figuring them out? Of
Cavs are clearly, at worst, the 2nd most talented team in the East. But they are still very young. And have disappointed in past playoff years. And their leader, Donovan Mitchell, disappointed in playoffs in the same way while at Utah.
A 2nd round loss would be a colossal disappointment, although this young team’s best years are still ahead of it.
Cavs and Celtics are teams to beat ……
East Finals favorites.
— Latest rumors — I personally believe Knicks are a tough matchup for Cavs with Mitch 100%. We may never see them since you gotta get by Celtics first.
Only additions you can make now. Are these two moves. So Its good news to me. Only chance in beating Celtics. Is by adding more scoring and depth to bench. Moses and TJ would make me smile .
“Roster Moves::;;
The Knicks have recently cut Jacob Toppin and Matt Ryan, creating space for potential additions, with rumors suggesting they are looking at players like Moses Brown and T.J. Warren. “
Rumors ????