The Cleveland Cavaliers will face their biggest test of the season as they take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Tuesday night in an Emirates NBA Cup group play matchup. This clash is one of the most highly anticipated early-season games, as it pits the undefeated Cavaliers, boasting a historic 15-0 start, against the reigning NBA champions. The Celtics, who dominated last season with a +10.7-point differential (one of the best in league history) and an 11-3 playoff record, are primed to defend their home court and assert their dominance.
The Cavaliers’ flawless start has been a testament to their offensive cohesion under head coach Kenny Atkinson. A disciple of Steve Kerr’s Golden State dynasty, Atkinson has built a culture centered on teamwork and unselfish play. After their most recent win against the Charlotte Hornets, Atkinson highlighted the rare chemistry within his squad, emphasizing the players’ mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence.
However, while Cleveland’s winning streak is undeniably impressive, it has come against less-than-daunting competition. The Cavaliers have faced just four teams with winning records, and even those victories were influenced by favorable circumstances. For instance, they narrowly beat a 7-6 Knicks team still adjusting to roster changes, defeated an 8-6 Magic squad missing All-Star Paolo Banchero, and secured wins over a travel-weary Lakers team and a fatigued Warriors squad fresh off a battle with the Celtics. Cleveland’s success has been aided by the NBA’s second-easiest schedule, leaving their ability to compete with top-tier contenders unproven.
This changes dramatically against Boston, as the Cavaliers will contend with a raucous TD Garden crowd and a championship-caliber Celtics roster. Cleveland’s offense has thrived on remarkable shot-making during their streak, with an unsustainable 54.4% conversion rate on tightly contested shots (defender within 0-2 feet) and 56.3% on contested shots (defender within 2-4 feet). Additionally, several Cavaliers are shooting well above their career averages from three-point range, including Ty Jerome (54.1%), Caris LeVert (45.8%), and Darius Garland (45.5%). While this efficiency has powered their early success, it faces a significant challenge from Boston’s elite perimeter defense.
The Celtics feature a defensive quartet of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum—players known for their length, physicality, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. This group will relentlessly pressure Cleveland’s shooters, forcing them to prove that their early-season shooting numbers aren’t a fluke. On the offensive end, Boston will leverage its versatility to exploit Cleveland’s twin towers, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Players like Tatum and Al Horford can stretch the floor, pulling Cleveland’s big men away from the basket and creating open driving lanes. Meanwhile, Boston’s guards will test the Cavaliers’ undersized backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Garland, wearing them down with constant motion and defensive challenges.
Last season, Boston eliminated Cleveland 4-1 in the playoffs, and both teams have retained their core rosters since then. Despite the strides made by Atkinson and the Cavaliers, the Celtics are motivated to reaffirm their status as the league’s top team. Playing at home and riding their defensive and offensive prowess, Boston has a strong chance to hand Cleveland its first loss, potentially ending the streak with a convincing double-digit victory.
