The playoffs are just a month away for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s exciting, but also daunting for a team that is still trying to figure out how they want to play.
The additions of James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis have bolstered the team. Each has brought something necessary to the group that should help them in the playoffs. The issue is that they haven’t had much time to figure out the lineups and rotations around the new players, given the injuries and the short amount of time they’ve had together.
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Generally speaking, the Cavs will go as far as their best players take them in the postseason. Donovan Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen will each need to be healthy and playing near their best if they’re going to get through teams like the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, or New York Knicks.
That said, playoff games can also be swung by role players. The Cavs have plenty who can do so.
Earlier this week, we asked which role player is most important for the Cavs among the group of Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder, and any of the other players not listed. According to Cavs fans, Tyson is the most important, as he garnered 47% of the vote.
Tyson has made a significant leap forward this season. He’s gone from someone who could really only provide spot minutes in his rookie year to someone who has played himself into being an indispensable part of the rotation. Tyson has a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the court and plays a position of need.
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Tyson showed his importance by scoring 22 points in the team’s recent win over the Pistons on March 3. However, he’s struggled since that time, as 11 points is the most he’s registered in the four games since. This includes a disappointing eight-point performance against the Celtics on March 8.
As of now, the Cavs are one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. FanDuel Sportsbook gives them the second-best chance to win the East. They’re +280 to do so behind only the Celtics. The Cavs also have the fifth-best chance to win the NBA Finals at +1000.
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