2015: Cleveland Cavaliers?
That brings us to this year’s edition of the Cavs. They have just 14 games during their final month, the fewest of any team on this list, and have already played four, winning three of them. Their 46-26 record is somewhat behind some of the above marks.
Of course, since their 19-20 start, they’re 27-6. In their final 10 matchups, they could conceivably win every contest, though the March 25 battle in Memphis will be a true challenge. Even if they lose that game and another, that will still give them 35 wins in their last 43, with only the 2012-13 Miami squad having a better mark among champions.
That slow start also means that the best Cleveland can hope for is second seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since five of the last 10 NBA champions have been either seeded two or three, including LeBron’s 2012 title team.
So, if the past decade can be used as a guide for the upcoming playoff season, the record during the final month of the regular season shouldn’t be used as a litmus test to gauge whether a team can reach championship form. Teams that meandered down the stretch came to life once playoff time arrived, while teams that tore things up in the final month had their stumbles along the way.
Given the four-year drought the team has suffered from when it comes to even reaching the playoffs, it’s simply better to sit back and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.
