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NBA predictions | Projecting the Cavs record and playoff run for the 2024-25 season
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- NBA predictions | Projecting the Cavs record and playoff run for the 2024-25 season
The Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2024-25 season in Toronto tonight . With a new coach and a veteran roster , the Cavs are determined to improve on last year's season, which ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals . The eventual NBA champion Celtics eliminated them in five games.
The Cavs didn't change the roster much, and All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell signed a contract extension to solidify his commitment to winning in Cleveland. The biggest change? Kenny Atkinson was hired as the head coach in hopes of him being able to guide the Cavs to the next step in their development.
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Here's what our Cavs writers, Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, predict for this season.
Ryan Lewis' 2024-25 Cavs season prediction
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The Cavs could be set up for a 50-win season in Kenny Atkinson's first year at the helm. Donovan Mitchell returns as a top-15 player, Darius Garland should be closer to himself after putting some weight back on in the offseason, and a new offensive system could be the key to unlocking Evan Mobley . I'll take the Cavs to finish with 52 wins and to win the division, as the Bucks are beginning to show some age. The Cavs have their work cut out for them in the playoffs in a deeper Eastern Conference. I think they again win a playoff series but don't think they get to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Projected record:52-30
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Projected playoff run:Eastern Conference Semifinals
Cavaliers guard Darius Garland dribbles the ball up the court in the preseason against the Pistons in the first quarter, Oct. 16, 2024, in Detroit.
Nate Ulrich's 2024-25 Cavs season prediction
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The Cavs are running it back with nearly the same roster from last season, when they finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with a regular-season record of 48-34, defeated the Orlando Magic 4-3 in Round 1 of the playoffs and lost 4-1 to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals. They're banking on coach Kenny Atkinson replacing J.B. Bickerstaff being the primary difference they'll need to advance deeper into the postseason. Can the Cavs go 50-32? They're talented enough, so it's a good guess. Are they better equipped for playoff success than the Celtics, New York Knicks , Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers ? Well, the answer is no because they still need to prove it. On the other hand, injuries to Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen kept the Cavs from being whole when it mattered most last season. It's not hard to envision a healthy Cavs team taking a step and making the Eastern Conference Finals, so mark it down in the interest of calling a shot. But if Mitchell winds up being banged up like he was last season, immediately light this prediction on fire.
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Projected record:50-32
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Projected playoff run:Eastern Conference Finals
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season, playoffs
