Shaq calls the Cavaliers, not the Celtics, the best team in the East

The 2024-25 NBA season is nearing its halfway point and teams are beginning to separate in both conferences. The Cleveland Cavaliers are no exception, holding a 5.5 game lead Boston Celtics in the east.

Despite the ranking, there’s still a lot of debate about who the top dog in the East really is. NBA Hall of Fame Shaquille O’Neal there is weighed the topic.

“I think (the Cavs) are the best team in the East,” O’Neal said on Tuesday night’s edition of Inside The NBA. “…yes. The way this Donovan (Mitchell) kid plays – I’ve been hard on (him) the last 3 years. Hard to the point where people think I don’t like it.”

The Cavaliers — who boast an NBA-best 33-5 record — have won 16 of their last 18 games and were previously riding a 12-game winning streak. fell 108-93 at the hands of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Donovan Mitchell, who started with 36 through the Cavaliers’ 38 games this season, he leads the team in points and steals per game, averaging 22.8 and 1.4, respectively. Additionally, Mitchell is averaging 4.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 41% from 3-point range.

The Cavaliers have played the Celtics – their biggest rival in the East – twice this season. The Celtics won in Boston on November 19th, 120-117, the Cavaliers evened the season series with a 115-111 victory in Cleveland on December 1st. There are two more regular-season contests between the two teams, Feb. 4 in Cleveland and Feb. 28 in Boston.

The Cavaliers are expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. The two teams faced off in the second round of the playoffs last season, resulting in a gentleman’s blowout by the Celtics. However, the Cavaliers won 118-94 in Game 2 of the series, handing the Celtics one of their three playoff losses en route to their 18th NBA championship.

Is it possible Cavaliers clinging to the top seed in the East?

The Cavaliers have a 5.5 game lead in the East. If they can get through their two remaining contests against the Celtics, the Cavaliers’ chances of staying on top and securing home court advantage throughout the playoffs will be strong.

However, if the Celtics manage to take one or both contests, the race for the top seed in the East could tighten.