A Lot On The Line As Cavs Take On Nets In Paris

One game for the Cleveland Cavaliers can have a major impact on the Eastern Conference.

The Cleveland Cavaliers only play one game this calendar week. That contest will be against the Brooklyn Nets all the way over in Paris, France. This is an incredible opportunity for both teams to grow the game of basketball and J.B. Bickerstaff called it "a huge honor" to be selected by the NBA to represent them.

However, this game will still count towards the regular season standings and there's a lot on the line for this Cavs squad.

The Cavaliers have won eight of their last 11 games heading into Thursday's matchup. They continue to hoist threes as their new-look offense has been successful even in Darius Garland and Evan Mobley's absence.

It's important for the Cavs that they keep this same momentum going whether they're playing in Cleveland or France.

Caris LeVert also explained how tight the Eastern Conference is and the importance of even just one game.

"In the East, a lot of teams kind of have the same record," said LeVert. "So, I think every game is a chance for us to keep pushing up in the standings, keep solidifying our spot you know in the playoffs try to stay out of the [Play-In Tournment]." 

Dec 27, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) celebrates with teammates after the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs currently sit as the seventh seed with 21 wins. There are also currently three other teams (Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Orlando Magic) with the same number of wins. Then there is the New York Knicks who occupy the fourth seed and have 22 wins and the Philadelphia 76ers are the third seed with 23 wins.

Not much is separating this group of teams  

One or two more wins could propel Cleveland up to a top seed in the East. But consecutive losses could drop them into that dreaded Play-In position that LeVert admitted they want to avoid.

It's important that the Cavs soak in this experience of traveling overseas, but they still need to secure a win against the Nets.