The Cleveland Cavaliers started off the new year in the 7th position in the Eastern Conference. They had a strong beginning to their season, with a record of 18-15 in their first 33 games, positioning themselves as a middle-to-lower tier team in the East playoffs. However, they found their rhythm in January and have been on a remarkable winning streak under the leadership of J.B. Bickerstaff.
The Cavaliers currently hold the longest winning streak in the NBA, with five consecutive wins heading into their game against the Kings tonight. In terms of the best record over the last 10 games, the Cavs and Knicks are tied at 9-1.
Since their narrow three-point loss to the Raptors on January 1st, the Cavs have only suffered one defeat. They had an eight-game winning streak before falling short against the Milwaukee Bucks by 10 points. However, they have bounced back and won their last five games, propelling themselves up the conference standings.
With each passing day, the Cavaliers have been steadily climbing the Eastern Conference rankings. They now have an opportunity to make a significant leap in the standings on Monday night.
Due to the absence of Joel Embiid, the 76ers have experienced a significant drop in the standings, falling from the 2nd position to 5th place. Both the Cavaliers and Knicks have overtaken them, and it seems that the 76ers are in for a steep decline.
Another team that has struggled recently is the Milwaukee Bucks, who have held the 2nd spot for most of the season. However, under new head coach Doc Rivers, they have only managed a record of 1-3. This has raised doubts about their status as the second-best team in the conference.
If the Cavaliers defeat the Sacramento Kings tonight, they will officially surpass the Bucks in the standings. The Bucks’ 31-point loss to the Jazz on Sunday has narrowed their lead over Cleveland to just half a game, putting them at risk of being overtaken based on winning percentages.
Currently, the Bucks hold the second position with a record of 33-17, slightly ahead of the Cavaliers’ winning percentage. However, if Cleveland manages to secure a home victory against the Sacramento Kings, these numbers will undergo a slight shift.
The Cavaliers are currently favored by 5.5 points in tonight’s game.