Cleveland Cavaliers Make NBA History with Undefeated Start

The Cleveland Cavaliers have etched their name into the annals of NBA history by becoming the fourth team to win their first 15 games of the season, a feat accomplished by only a few teams before: the 1948-49 Washington Capitols, the 1993-94 Houston Rockets, and the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. This achievement sets the Cavaliers as strong contenders early in the season, attracting attention throughout the basketball community. The Cavaliers’ record exceeds the entirety of last year’s win record of the Detroit Pistons, which stood at 14.

The Cavaliers’ streak puts them at the top of the NBA Power Rankings for the second consecutive week, showcasing their dominance in the Eastern Conference. This performance comes despite an overall advantage observed by the Western Conference in interconference games during the season’s opening weeks.

The Western Conference teams have dominated the interconference games, winning 71% of their match-ups against Eastern Conference teams, exemplifying the conference’s depth and strength early in the season. For example, the Utah Jazz have managed a 1-1 record, while the New Orleans Pelicans have faced challenges with a 2-4 start despite injuries.

This continuation of interconference games provides opportunities for teams like the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves to face off against Eastern powerhouses, offering a taste of postseason intensity early in the regular season. These upcoming matches are seen as crucial tests for Eastern teams lagging yet showcasing potential.

Golden State Warriors, ranked second last week, continue their strong season with a 10-2 record, capitalizing on quality wins and maintaining their status as prime contenders. Their recent success in the NBA Cup further solidifies their strong standing as they prepare to leverage rest advantages in upcoming games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain competitive with an 11-3 record, falling just behind after a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, now positioned at 7-7 and climbing the ranks with significant weekend victories.

The Boston Celtics, with the league’s highest defensive rating, prepare for a challenging encounter against the undefeated Cavaliers shortly, adding to a week filled with critical schedule matchups, including their NBA Cup game.

The NBA’s schedule dynamics have been complicated by an adjusted interconference play pattern, now spacing encounters more evenly throughout the season. Eastern teams like the Charlotte Hornets, who are front-loaded with conference games, will gradually see more Western competitions, potentially reshaping current narratives on conference strength.