The NBA’s In-Season Tournament (known as the 2024 NBA Cup) is back, and after a successful tournament last season, it is time to crown a new champion. Some people like the NBA Cup, others still may not fully understand it, but it is back and from the look of things, it is here to stay.
The Los Angeles Lakers won last season’s festivities after beating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game. Before that, the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans in the knockout round.
This season, the tournament is up for grabs, and after what has been an incredible start to the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers could be on the verge of being the next NBA Cup champion.
Cavs Looking to Control Group C
The Cavaliers are in the East C group this year, which features the Boston Celtics, the Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards. The Cavs have already beaten the Bulls in their first game of the Group stage. They beat Chicago 144-126. Next up is a tougher challenge as they take on the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics lost their first Group stage game, as the Atlanta Hawks beat them 117-116. So, the Cavs are already off to a good start and a win over Boston in this next game will put them in an even better position.
The Cavs are the talk of the NBA right now, as their 15-0 start is historic. They are the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0. The other teams to do so include the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and the 1948-49 Washington Capitols. The best start in league history belongs to the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who went 24-0 at the start of the season and finished 73-9. That is also the team that lost to the Cavs in the 2016 NBA Finals. This year’s Cavaliers are making history and if there were any doubts around them being contenders, they are shattering them.
NBA Cup Within Reach For Cavs
Cleveland winning the NBA Cup is not far-fetched. They are playing well and they are more than capable of beating the teams in their group. And the odds are in their favor. The New York Knicks currently have the best odds in the league, as they are +550 on FanDuel and +500 on DraftKings. The Cavs are right behind them at +650 on FanDuel and +550 on DraftKings.
Can the Cavs win the tournament? Without a doubt. If they beat the Celtics, their chances are even better. If they can get easy wins over the Hawks and the Wizards, and in the midst of that keep the current momentum of the season, this tournament could be a breeze. And it could put the Cavs on the right path toward the “real deal” championship at the end of the season.
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