Who can knock off the Cavaliers in the East?

After representing the Eastern Conference for the past two season in the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers are once again the favorites to win the Eastern Conference title. They currently have a three-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the first overall playoff spot in the East. By the time the playoffs roll around, who are the Cavaliers biggest competition to get back to the NBA Finals?

3. Atlanta Hawks

Even though the Atlanta Hawks are currently only the fifth seed in the East, they are a bad matchup for the Cavaliers. The teams have only played each other once in the regular season, when the Hawks won, 110-106. The Hawks have two good big men, center Dwight Howard (13 rebounds per game) and power forward Paul Millsap (26 points per 100 possessions). The Cavaliers primary power forward Kevin Love (31.2 ppg) and center Tristan Thompson (10 rpg). Love recently received arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out until at least the end of March. The Hawks will be able to expose the Cavaliers down low with Love not at 100%. This was already the weak spot for the Cavaliers so the Hawks would have a decent shot at pulling off the upset.

2. Boston Celtics

Currently, the second seed in the East, the Boston Celtics have taken a big step forward this season. Point guard Isaiah Thomas (43.2 point per 100 possessions), has carried the team this season and currently has scored 20 points in 41 consecutive games (the Celtics have played 57 games this season). Thomas has been the definition of consistent for the Celtics and proved he's the best player in the NBA. He is also averaging 10 points in the fourth quarter, which is the best in the NBA. In the playoffs where almost every game is close, Thomas will be the key to a long playoff run for the Celtics. In addition to Thomas, the Celtics will need power forward Al Horford to step up his game. He is only averaging 6.6 rebounds per game and 22 points per 100 possessions. To be able to beat the Cavaliers, the Horford will have to start dominating the paint. He and Thomas need to become the best duo in the NBA.

1. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are probably the most balanced team in the East right now. They currently have six players on their roster averaging double-digit points. They are led by point guard Kyle Lowry (30.5 points per 100 possessions) and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (39 points per 100 possessions). This past week the Raptors also added power forward Serge Ibaka (25 points per 100 possessions and 6.6 rpg) from the Orlando Magic. Ibaka and center Jonas Valanciunas (10 rpg and 23 points per 100 possessions) can be as good down low as the Hawks and have one of the best back courts in the East. It is going to take a lot to beat the Cavaliers and a balanced team that can adjusted to whatever the Cavaliers throw at them is the best shot upset the reigning NBA Champions.

No matter who the Cavaliers play in the playoffs, the will be the favorites. With the best player in the NBA, LeBron James, the Cavaliers will always have the edge. It is hard to think anyone in the East can beat the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Most fans will take the “I will believe it when I see it,” mentality. If any team has a chance though it is the Toronto Raptors.