Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking East playoff teams who can beat the Cavs

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during he first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during he first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
  1. Boston Celtics

Ah, the best team in the East. The Boston Celtics. Not only does Boston represent the biggest threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East, but they’re also the best defensive team in the NBA. And that, if anything, would prove to be the biggest problem for a potential series with the Cavs.

And something that the Celtics didn’t have last year against Cleveland, that they certainly have this season, is Kyrie Irving. He’s a legit star and one of the best finishers in all the NBA. When he takes a shot with seconds left in the game, you pretty much assume it’s going in.

On top of the star power, the Celtics are arguably the second deepest team in the NBA – behind the Golden State Warriors. And that’s with Gordon Hayward being out for possibly the rest of the season.

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But if he returns, good luck Cleveland.