The matchup between the Thunder and Cavaliers on Wednesday night lived up to all the hype.
The teams’ first battle for a double-digit winning streak in 30 years featured 30 lead changes and had a definite playoff feel. And the fact that Cleveland emerged despite a bad night from Donovan Mitchell (11 points on 3-of-16 shooting) only underscores how developed the frontcourt tandem of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is (46 points and 22 rebounds combined).
We spent most of the week pondering the biggest threats facing Boston in its quest to repeat as the Celtics visited top Western Conference foes. But Wednesday’s game may have truly been a showdown between the two biggest hurdles in Boston’s quest for another Larry O’Brien Trophy.
So, as we approach the halfway point of the 2024-25 season, here’s one writer’s take on Boston’s top threats:
1. Cavaliers
In a vacuum, we’d probably put the Thunder here, especially considering they’ll eventually add Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren to the best defense in the NBA.
But we give the Cavs a nod for one simple fact: The Thunder have yet to emerge from a loaded West to pose a real threat to the Celtics, while a showdown between Boston and Cleveland in the East finals seems like an inevitability.
The Cavaliers are moving away from the top of the East and have proven that their hot start to the season was no fluke. Mobley has made a big jump, the Cavaliers no longer need Mitchell to carry them in clutch situations, and Cleveland is showing off its depth.
The Cavaliers have the best offense in the league (by nearly two points per game over the Celtics), are 19-1 at home, and are now 11-0 against the West. They checked all the boxes for a legitimate contender, and we wonder how competitive last year’s series against the Celtics would have been had they been fully healthy.
Can we fast forward to Boston’s pre-All-Star visit to Cleveland on February 4?
Photos by Ken Blaze-Imagine
2. Thunder
Just an absolute shoulder of a defensive team, still waiting for reinforcements. OKC’s defensive rating (103.4) is three points better than the next closest team (Orlando, 106.3) and six points better than sixth-place Boston’s mark (109.4).
Even if you thought the Celtics’ shooting woes were strange in Sunday’s game, there’s no denying how Oklahoma City made Boston uncomfortable with its defensive tenacity and overall physicality.
OKC’s young team has yet to prove it can consistently shine on the biggest stages of the playoffs, but the potential is undeniable, and the Thunder are poised to remain a legitimate title contender for a long time.
Kristaps Porzingis reacts to the Celtics’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Boston led by 10 points in the first half but scored only 27 points in the second half in the loss.
3. Nix
You knew it was going to take some time for the Knicks to find a groove after the overhaul, and it’s strange that after their meeting on opening night, we have to wait until February 8 for a rematch in New York.
The Knicks’ defense is supposed to improve — they’re 14th in defensive rating through 38 games — but surprisingly they’re right on Boston’s heels near the top of the offensive rating leaders.
Maybe this rivalry between Boston and New York will get a much-needed jolt with a second-round matchup in the playoffs.
4. Grizzlies
Memphis put Boston on its heels at pace during the December visit. The Grizzlies rank fifth in the NBA in both offensive and defensive rating, and quietly rank fourth in the NBA in net rating (+7.6) behind the power trio of OKC, Cleveland, and Boston.
It’s really interesting to see the Grizzlies bounce back after a turbulent 2023-24 season. Once again, they have to prove they can excel in the qualifying stage; After earning the No. 2 seed in the West two years ago, they were bounced by the seventh-seeded Lakers in six games in the first round.
5. Fragments
We would have liked to see how the Celtics and Nuggets match up with a healthy Jokic on the floor. Maybe we’ll get a better idea when they visit Boston on March 2.
The Nuggets are hoping to rely on Jokic playing 40-plus minutes in the playoffs and hope to survive his minutes off the bench.
6. Timberwolves
It seems irresponsible for Minnesota to be this low when they played two one-possession games with Boston this season, and two more last season. The reality is that the Wolves need to put together a consistent streak of winning basketball and knock themselves out of the playoff picture in the West.
7. Magic
Orlando’s already fun team gets Paolo Ranchero back this week. He’ll get a chance to shake off some rust before the Magic visit Boston on Jan. 17.
If Orlando were healthier, they might actually be No. 1 on this list.
8. Bucks
Call it the Giannis factor. If he’s healthy, they have a chance in any series. There’s still a long way to go out of the hole they dug to start the season.
9. Missiles
A great start for Emi Udoka’s young team, but this team will face a stiff challenge to make it out of the West.
10. Pacers
It’s no surprise that they struggled a bit after last season’s run to the East finals. But it’s surprising to see them with a negative net rating (-0.7) so close to the middle of the season.
If they once again capitalize on what made them such a challenge a year ago, they could become a blight in any playoff series.