A casual fan's guide to the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2025 playoffs
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Spida and the Cavs need to believe they can beat the Celtics. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
After a historic season, the Cleveland Cavaliers begin what's expected to be a deep playoff run Sunday.
Why it matters: The roster has the talent, chemistry and depth to advance further in the postseason than they have since LeBron James' departure.
What they're saying: "The question that needs to be answered with this team is if they have the belief level at a championship level," head coach Kenny Atkinson told the media last week.
- "Do you really believe you can beat Boston?"
Between the lines: Though the Cavs are the Eastern Conference's top seed, the Boston Celtics were last year's NBA Champions and are still the heavy betting favorites to emerge from the East.
- Most pundits expect the Cavs and Celtics to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Yes, but: The Cavs will have to advance through the first and second rounds — both best-of-seven series — to get there.
State of play: First up? Either the Atlanta Hawks or the Miami Heat.
- The winner of Friday's play-in game will fly to Cleveland for Game 1 Sunday.
One fun thing: If it's Atlanta, the Cavs will reunite with Caris LeVert and Georges Niang, who were traded midseason for De'Andre Hunter.
The first-round schedule:
- Game 1: Sunday, April 20 in Cleveland (7pm/TNT)
- Game 2: Wednesday, April 23 in Cleveland (7:30pm/NBA TV)
- Game 3: Saturday, April 26 in Atlanta/Miami (1pm/TNT)
- Game 4: Monday, April 28 in Atlanta/Miami (TBD)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30 in Cleveland (TBD)
- Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 2 in Atlanta/Miami (TBD)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 4 in Cleveland (TBD)
Zoom in: Star guard Donovan Mitchell has exploded in the playoffs before, and the Cavs' elite shooting should help them dominate on offense.
- Defense is a bigger question mark. While big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley protect the rim, can perimeter players like Hunter, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro lock down opposing teams' top offensive threats?
What's next: Should the Cavs advance, they would play the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers matchup.