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East’s 4 Biggest Threats To Cleveland Cavaliers

By James D. Tillman III

Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but there are a few teams that could give them a run for their money in the playoffs.

Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to make a return trip to the NBA Finals despite the fact that the Eastern Conference is more competitive than what we have seen in years past.

Although the Cavaliers currently hold the top spot in the conference playoff race, a recent 106-103 loss to a Memphis Grizzlies team that was missing four its starters appears to have left some question marks about this team.

If you would have told me that the Cavs were facing any team that had just eight healthy players and were playing for the second time in as many nights, my money would have been on Cleveland. Especially considering that the Cavs beat the Grizzlies by 30 points the first time these two teams played each other back in late October.

But in light of a lackluster effort against a short-handed opponent, along with reports that have recently surfaced regarding a disconnect between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the Cavs don’t appear to be ready for the playoffs right now.

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"“I can sit up here and say that we’re a team that’s ready to start the playoffs tomorrow, but we’re not,” LeBron James told ESPN. “We’re still learning. We still have things that happen on the court that just, that shouldn’t happen.”"

Barring injuries to key players, the Cavs should make their second straight trip to the Finals. However, despite being the prohibitive favorites, there are a few teams that could give the Cavs problems in the postseason.

Here is a look at a few of them.

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