Continuing our preview of Cleveland Cavaliers’ opponents, it’s time to talk about the big dogs of the Eastern Conference — the Boston Celtics.
The first sip
Boston is running it back with the same group that just won the title, making them favorites to win yet again. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown might not be solidified top-five players but the immense depth around them makes for a high bar the rest of the East needs to clear.
The Celtics’ front office has run a clinic in team building over recent years. In a league where every team is desperate for versatility, Boston is chock-full of players who can do a little bit of everything. Tatum and Brown are two of the most dynamic wings in the NBA while Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis fill in perfectly. Even the bench is full of guys who can provide quality minutes.
I wouldn’t consider the Celtics to be overwhelming favorites. They certainly have their vulnerabilities — like the lack of an MVP-caliber player and some occasional difficulties closing games. But still, any team looking to win the conference will likely have to go through them.
How the Cavs played the Celtics last season
This matchup has consistently led to ridiculousness over the last two seasons. Moments like Grant Williams missing “both of ‘em” or Dean Wade erupting in the fourth quarter to save Travis Kelce's bobblehead night are just a few examples of the craziness that has ensued.
Their meeting in the playoffs, however, was not as spectacular. The Cavaliers went down in five games after injuries to Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen left them massively outgunned. This series would have been an uphill battle even if the Cavs were healthy but a wave of injuries like that left them with no chance.
But it isn’t all hopeless. You can argue the Cavs played Boston as well as anyone else last season. They stole Game 2 on the road and nearly took a 2-1 series lead back at home. Most of all, Evan Mobley’s superb series left Cleveland with a reason to feel optimistic entering the summer.
Cavs vs Celtics this season
at Boston - Nov. 19 (NBA Cup group stage)
Home - Dec. 1
Home - Feb. 4
at Boston - Feb. 28
Notable players who have been with both franchises
Shaquille O’Neal’s stint in Boston might have cemented forever as the face of “washed up” by Twitter memes but his time in Cleveland the year before wasn’t so great, either. Shaq averaged 10.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in those final two seasons of his career.
Rajon Rondo was a Celtics legend who will forever be remembered for a better reason; his contributions to the 2008 championship team. Unfortunately, Rondo’s impact wasn’t as great by the time he reached Cleveland. Rondo played his last NBA games with the Cavs in 2022 before officially retiring in 2024.
Kyrie Irving broke hearts in Cleveland by abruptly demanding a trade in the summer of 2017. But for good measure, Irving would quickly the hearts of Boston fans by souring his relationship with the city by the time he left in free agency just two years later. Rest assured, Cavs fans, we got the best basketball years Irving has ever offered.
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