It’s official: the Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched the top seed in the East after notching their 63rd victory of the season in a 22-point route of the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. The Cavaliers have been atop their conference since the beginning of the 2024-25 season and have not let go. What makes this accomplishment further impressive is that they were able to hold off the reigning defending champions in the Boston Celtics all year. Boston will also likely hit 60 wins before the regular season draws to a close, which makes Cleveland’s run all the more incredible. However, all that being said, the Celtics are right behind the Cavs, and the general consensus is that Boston remains the best team in the league, even over the Oklahoma City Thunder. So, big picture-wise, what does Cleveland’s clinch mean, if anything, when it comes to the postseason?
Does Top-Seeded Cavaliers Clinching the East Mean Anything?
Kenny Atkinson reflects on his Cleveland Cavaliers clinching top seed in the East
For now, Cleveland can and should celebrate this victory. This Cavs team has been the best-looking squad since the days of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Donovan Mitchell has led a high-scoring, three-point barrage shooting lineup, emulating one of the scarier teams across the league. On the sidelines, Kenny Atkinson has done a masterful job in his first year as the head coach. It was a second opportunity he greatly deserved since his unceremonious exit from Brooklyn a few years ago when the Nets fired him. His coaching fortunes have changed dramatically after spending quality time behind Steve Kerr in Golden State, and now, he’ll have a chance to coach his own team on a deep playoff run and, hopefully, into the finals. Atkinson spoke about winning the East following the win over Chicago, as reported by ESPN.
“Yeah, I mean I think you celebrate these moments. 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.” Atkinson continued to praise his team, but stressed that there is more work to do, “You know, we got out of the gate so quick. We got ahead of it early. And then, we had some ups and downs this last month, but really proud of the guys, proud of the organization. It’s hard to win 63 games in this league. It’s hard to be the first seed. We all know that. So great accomplishment, obviously. We are hungry for more.”
Clinching the East is one thing, beating the Celtics in seven games is another
What does any of this mean if Cleveland fails to make a deep playoff run or beat Boston? Seeding-wise, the two teams are on a collision course for the conference finals. However, the Cavaliers have to make the finals before they get a crack at Boston, which also has to make it there. Cleveland’s recent postseason track record isn’t good, and since acquiring Mitchell, they haven’t made it past the semis. So, while this regular season has been something to celebrate and admire, what Cleveland does in the playoffs matters so much more.
If they fall early again or lose out to the Celtics in the conference finals, all it will be is a great regular season, but nothing more. Many around the league and in the media expect Cleveland to fall short and Boston to come out on top. If the Cavs want to prove the doubters wrong, they’ll have to step up and convince the voices that it wasn’t just a great regular season but much more.
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