The Cleveland Cavaliers just can’t lose this season at Quicken Loans Arena. No, really. After trouncing the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics by 31 on Sunday, The Cavs secured a league-best 39-1 record at home. No, really. With the win over Boston, Cleveland locked up home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and an eight point win over Indiana on Monday assured the Cavaliers home-court privileges into the finals—if they get that far. A win against Philadelphia in Cleveland in their last game of the season could push the mark to 40-1, tying the 1985-86 Celtics for the best home record in NBA history. Seriously.
All team sports information asks why can’t anybody beat Cleveland at home? Obviously, part of the reason is Lebron James. He appears well on his way to putting up some of his best numbers yet, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks. The eleventh-hour deal last season, in which the Cavs got Joe Smith, Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West, added some much needed scoring, defense and depth to the roster that’s still paying off this year. The off-season addition of point guard Mo Williams has worked out better than anyone could have expected. A solid player who’s averaging nearly 18 points and four assists per game, Williams’ up-tempo style has given the Cavs a lift on both ends of the court. And the Cavs just seem more comfortable playing at home. Cleveland sports fans have rediscovered the Cavaliers and that generates an energy that’s hard to recreate on the road, where the NBA team Cavs are just 27-14.
Should King James and company go deep into the post season again this year, that home court advantage could make all the difference between another Finals disappointment and a championship parade down Superior Ave.
