We all know the Cavaliers are going to the playoffs. They are also highly likely to do it as the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
Still, clinching that playoff spot comes with a little validation. As in, goal No. 1 has been reached. Becoming the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the entire NBA … well, that’s even cooler.
That’s exactly what will happen if the Cavs beat the Miami Heat in Tuesday’s game at Rocket Arena. Tipoff is 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
As it stands, the Cavs have won 11 in a row. They sport the NBA’s best record at 51-10. It’s been an amazing regular season, and a regular season full of fun counts for a lot. With only a month to go, all eyes are shifting to the playoffs.
Best of all, for Cleveland, all of this seems totally legit. Even fans who struggle to see the bright side of things are starting to think the Cavs are true contenders. Under coach Kenny Atkinson, it seems, all is possible.
“The Cavaliers have taken Phil Jackson‘s 40-20 rule to another level this season,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, a former Cavs beat reporter. “The 11-time championship-winning coach used to say that if a team wins 40 games before it loses 20, that’s an indicator of it being a legitimate title threat.
“Well, Cleveland’s 11-game win streak, including a road victory over the Celtics on Friday, has brought the record to 51-10. How’s that for legit?”
Legitimizing it even further would be clinching a playoff spot. With a win Wednesday, the Cavs will have done it before anyone else.
The Cavaliers can become the first team to clinch a playoff spot if they win tonight. Cleveland takes on Miami at 7 p.m. ET on @ESPNNBA. pic.twitter.com/SuZ8rZ1YWI
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 5, 2025
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