Three Reasons the Cavaliers Should Feel Optimistic Despite Their Loss to the Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 120-117 loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday may have ended their impressive 15-game win streak, but there’s plenty for Cavs fans to feel optimistic about. Despite missing three key players and facing one of the league’s most dominant teams, the Cavaliers stayed competitive until the final seconds. Here’s why Cleveland should be hopeful about their potential this season:

1. Cleveland’s Wings Were Missing

The Cavaliers were without Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and Dean Wade—three critical wing players who bring defensive versatility and sharpshooting to the team.

• Defensive Gaps: Okoro, a primary defender of opposing star scorers, was sorely missed in containing Boston’s relentless three-point offense. LeVert and Wade, with their positional size and defensive skills, are vital for switching and contesting shots against dynamic offenses like Boston’s.
• Mismatch Nightmare: Without their wings, Cleveland relied on unconventional lineups with two big men (Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley) and two undersized guards (Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell). The Celtics exploited mismatches, leveraging their size and skill for wide-open threes.

With Okoro and LeVert shooting over 44% from three this season, their absence not only weakened Cleveland’s defense but also limited offensive spacing. Their return would drastically change the dynamics of a future matchup.

2. The Three-Point Disparity Was Extreme

Boston’s dominance from beyond the arc is well-documented—they lead the league in both attempts and makes. However, the Cavs still kept the game close despite being outscored by 36 points from three-pointers.

• Boston’s Hot Night: The Celtics hit 22 of their 41 three-point attempts (54%), an exceptional shooting performance even for them.
• Cleveland’s Struggles: On the other hand, the Cavs only managed to make 10 threes, with star guards Mitchell and Garland combining for a lackluster 3-for-17 from deep.

What’s encouraging is that Cleveland typically makes over 15 threes per game. With their sharpshooters back and their stars returning to form, the Cavs can close that gap in future contests.

3. Darius Garland’s Off Night Won’t Last

Darius Garland had one of the worst performances of his career, shooting just 3-for-21 from the field and missing all six of his three-point attempts. Despite this, the Cavs only lost by three points.

• A rare struggle: Garland entered the game averaging nearly 21 points on 49% shooting, including 43% from three. His poor performance on Tuesday was an outlier, unlikely to repeat in future matchups.
• Room for Growth: Even under intense defensive pressure, Garland has shown he can thrive. A bounce-back game from him could be the differencemaker in close contests.

Optimism for the Future

Despite missing key players, losing the three-point battle by a staggering margin, and seeing Garland struggle mightily, Cleveland stayed competitive against the NBA’s best team on the road. This game highlighted the Cavaliers’ depth, resilience, and potential when at full strength.

If these factors swing even slightly in Cleveland’s favor next time, the Cavs have every reason to believe they can not only compete with but also defeat the Celtics in a playoff series.