The Celtics concluded a solid 3-1 road trip on Monday, breezing past the Hawks in a dominant 123-93 victory. Despite the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, Boston has looked unstoppable, building on last year’s high-scoring offense. Their defense, now ranked sixth in the NBA, is also showing improvement. Jayson Tatum is making an impressive MVP push, while Payton Pritchard is emerging as a top sixth-man candidate. The Celtics’ roster depth, bolstered by surprise contributions from Neemias Queta, has helped propel them to an impressive 7-1 start.
The Celtics had anticipated tougher competition in the Eastern Conference this season, but many of their expected rivals are underperforming. The Bucks and 76ers sit near the bottom of the standings with injury and defensive challenges, the Knicks are still working on chemistry, and the Pacers have struggled with consistency.
With only two Eastern Conference teams above .500, one unexpected contender has surfaced: the Cleveland Cavaliers. Led by new head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs are unbeaten, alongside only the Oklahoma City Thunder, and have secured an 8-0 start despite missing key shooter Max Strus. Cleveland’s offense ranks just behind Boston’s, and they’ve recently beaten five probable playoff teams, boasting a net rating of +12.7—on par with Boston.
While the Cavaliers still have postseason questions to answer, they’re emerging as a strong regular-season rival. Atkinson, renowned for maximizing team potential, leads a deep, well-rounded roster that could give Boston a serious challenge. This competition may help Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla keep his team focused throughout the regular season. Last year, Boston secured the East’s top seed well before the playoffs, but Cleveland’s surge suggests a more competitive race this time around.
Boston faces a major test against the Warriors on Wednesday, followed by an in-season tournament clash with Cleveland in two weeks. These matchups will offer a clearer picture of whether the Cavaliers’ hot start is sustainable, hinting that Boston may have some unexpected competition at the top of the East.
