This upcoming season marks a major one in this iteration of the Clevland Cavaliers franchise. The Wine-and-Gold is coming off a 48-34 regular season in which the team made the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Fanduel Sports Book expects the Cavaliers to be about as good as last year, as they set their over/under win total at 48.5.
Breaking Down the Cleveland Cavaliers Over/Under Win Total
Since acquiring Donovan Mitchell in September of 2022, expectations for the Cavs have been sky-high. In Mitchell’s first season as a Cavalier, the team went 51-31, impressing their way to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. The 2023 playoffs were a major disappointment to the team. However, the Cleveland front office decided not to change much ahead of last season. The Cavs won three fewer games in 2023-24 in an injury-plagued year. But, they clinched their first playoff series win since 2018. Despite the series win, former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was relieved of his duties during the summer. His replacement, Kenny Atkinson, has brought more optimism to a team that struggled offensively a year ago.
Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson’s style of offense will make the Cavs better this season. Having the dynamism of Mitchell to pair with the threesome of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley will allow Atkinson to get the best of his team. Under Bickerstaff, the Cavs ranked 16th last season in offensive rating during the regular season. However, Cleveland ranked 16th and 14th in the 2023 and 2024 playoffs. In Atkinson’s most successful season with the Brooklyn Nets, the 2019 playoffs, his team ranked 10th in offensive rating at 105.7.
Critics of Atkinson target his former team’s lack of defense. In those same playoffs, the Nets ranked 14th in defensive rating. Despite that, the Cavs team he inherits is among the best in the NBA. Allen and Mobley have received recognition as elite defenders in the NBA. Additionally, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Max Strus are great perimeter defenders. The roster Atkinson will have in Cleveland will be able to mask his deficiencies defensively while improving offensively.
Star Power
Mitchell is why the Cavs will hit the over and go on a playoff run this year. He dealt with injuries last season in which he missed 27 games. Until his injury, he was on a tear and a candidate for the league’s MVP, leading the Cavs to a 21-4 record at one point. Alongside Mitchell will be Mobley. The 23-year-old is entering his fourth season and is poised to take another leap as he aims to become an All-Star this season. The Cavs have the star power to compete in a top-heavy Eastern Conference. A healthy season for the core four has them in a great position to break the 50-win mark for the second time in three seasons.
The Last Word
A new coach, a dynamic superstar, and budding stars mean the Cavs have all they need to compete in the Eastern Conference. Injuries derailed the talented team last season, and without them this year, it would have been a shock to nobody that they have won over 50 games.
