Cavs look to extend winning ways through upcoming homestand

Can the Cavs extend the four-game winning streak?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to host four games back at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, a welcome respite following a grueling early-season schedule that featured eight of the Cavs’ 11 contests played on the road thus far.

Surprising to many, the Cavs fared very well during that stretch, tallying a 7-4 record and implausibly joining the top teams of the Eastern Conference despite having played against playoff contenders throughout.

Cleveland was not supposed to win this many games this early. Nearly all oddsmakers putting them at the disadvantage in every game they have played, and are even pegged them to finish with about the same number of wins from the previous three seasons–a combined total of just 60 wins.

Understandably so, given how youthful the collective of the team is. The Cavs did have the youngest starting lineup to open the season, just before injuries took out several key players. But somehow, they continued to forge ahead and win ball games.

Could they sustain the early success and continue their quest to chase a play-in (or even playoff) berth?

Four consecutive games at home could help the Cavs

Coming off their first decisive victory following a string of near-misses, the Cavaliers are in a good position to win a couple more games at home, but don’t expect them to come any much easier.

The Cavs also have too little of a sample size to accurately measure their success rate playing in Cleveland, only having tallied a 2-1 home record thus far due to fact that they have played the bulk of their games on the road.

First on the calendar would be a November 10th matchup with the team’s mid-2000’s rivals Washington Wizards, who have been tracking a similar resurgence following consecutive losing seasons between 2018-2020.

Currently standing at 7-3, the D.C.-based franchise is on track to make a return to the playoffs this season despite trading away All-Star Russell Westbrook. Cleveland could very well have one of their toughest tests yet against their new-look core that’s bannered by star guard Bradley Beal and offseason arrivals Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell.

Meanwhile, the next visitors would be the Detroit Pistons, probably one of the most anticipated matchups owing to the fact that it would feature the first real NBA meeting between this year’s top selection Cade Cunningham and Cavs prized rookie Evan Mobley. With only a single win under their belts thus far, Detroit might be their easiest opponent during this stretch.

Then comes back-to-back bouts with the Boston Celtics on the 14th and 16th. It is a golden opportunity for the Cavaliers to pounce on the C’s at the right time, while the proud team currently struggles to figure things out.

With starting guard Collin Sexton out hurt, the coaching staff may also need the advantage of playing at home to rehash the rotations. Isaac Okoro could be returning after missing seven games to a hamstring strain, while Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen, both out due to health and safety protocols, may also be available soon.

With the Cavaliers still riding high after winning six of their last eight contests, they could add a few more wins at home if they’re able to sustain the high level of play. And while it can all just as easily go awry, if their early-season showing is any indication, things are definitely looking up in Cleveland.