East Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers BETTER or WORSE than last season?

Cleveland Cavaliers double down on their playoff ambitions, but can they finally break through in a stacked Eastern Conference? John Karalis of Celtics On SI teams up with Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs to break down if Evan Mobley’s bounce-back potential, James Harden’s new role, and the high-stakes addition of Peyton Watson will be enough to propel Cleveland forward. Major topics include the pressure on Mobley to become a legitimate All-NBA force, Cleveland’s massive payroll commitment to Donovan Mitchell, and whether Harden is willing—and able—to shift into a true third or fourth option when it matters most. The conversation covers the impact of the brutal upcoming Cavs schedule, Watson’s boom-or-bust contract, and Mario Hezonja's sleeper potential. Don’t miss expert analysis on how the new-look Cavaliers stack up against the Boston Celtics, plus where each team will finish in the playoff race.