3 reasons the Cleveland Cavaliers have hit a speed bump

2. Schedule

One thing that has not benefited the Cleveland Cavaliers recently is their tough schedule.

The NBA is stacked with more talent than ever. A number of different teams are making their cases to become title favorites in the Western Conference while a few teams in the East have separated themselves from the pack.

Since their double-digit victory over the New York Knicks, the Cavaliers have faced off six times against four playoff teams. Across these eight games, Cleveland took on the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat twice while facing a red-hot Dallas Mavericks team and a streaking Brooklyn Nets squad.

Philly entered the season as one of the favorites to win the East. Though the start of the year has been rough for the 76ers, a star lineup of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris and Al Horford is enough to give Cleveland problems.

Then, we have the Heat. Excellently coached by Erik Spoelstra and led by the gritty Jimmy Butler, there are no easy matchups against Miami.

The Cavaliers were steamrolled by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. Luka posted 29 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds in just 34 minutes against the Cavs as his historic MVP campaign continues.

Lastly, the Cavs were defeated in the final seconds by the Nets, who have now won four straight games. Spencer Dinwiddie, the Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week, drilled the go-ahead basket with under two seconds to play to seal the Nets victory.

Although the Cavaliers can expect to be tested each and every night, this young squad deserves to be cut some slack due to the difficult schedule they have faced recently.