The Cleveland Cavaliers will open the 2024-25 season as the Eastern Conference favorite, but betting lines suggest their margin is razor-thin.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, ESPN BET lists Cleveland just ahead of the New York Knicks despite the Cavaliers returning 93 percent of last season’s minutes, bringing back a 64-win core and adding defensive veterans Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. The projection comes even after season-ending injuries to two rival stars—Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton—that could theoretically clear Cleveland’s path.
ESPN’s forecast places Cleveland at 59-23, barely above New York’s 54-28. Orlando (50-32), Atlanta (47-35) and Detroit (47-35) round out the top five in the East.
New York’s near-parity with Cleveland arrives after the Knicks swept to the conference finals last spring and added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele on team-friendly contracts. Meanwhile, the Magic traded for Desmond Bane, and the Hawks landed Kristaps Porzingis, further crowding the field.
Windhorst notes that skepticism toward Cleveland stems from two straight postseason exits. Injuries to Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley factored into those disappointments, yet oddsmakers remain cautious.
Only three East clubs are projected to reach 48 wins or more, a drop from five a year ago. Windhorst adds that softer schedules for top teams may inflate records, but overall confidence in the conference contenders remains muted.
For now, the Cavaliers hold the default top spot—but just barely—setting up what bookmakers see as an unpredictable Eastern race.
Source: Hoops Wire
