In a recent discussion on NBA Today, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, a familiar voice from Northeast Ohio, shared some insights that might sting for Cleveland Cavaliers fans. While discussing his travel plans for the NBA Finals, Windhorst revealed he has made hotel reservations in three cities: San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Boston.
Noticeably absent from his list? Cleveland.
Windhorst explained, "I actually made the hotel reservations in San Antonio two weeks ago ... for June. ... I made them in OKC months ago. ...
Now, I have them in Boston, but let me just say there's a little bit of an asterisk. The World Cup is in Boston."
While Cleveland, along with Detroit, New York, and Denver, were mentioned as possibilities, no reservations have been made for those cities. This suggests a different level of confidence for the top three destinations.
The Boston Celtics clearly stand out as Windhorst's Eastern Conference favorite. He noted that the return of Jayson Tatum should be a game-changer for the Celtics, a team already proving their mettle this season. Despite missing their star player, Boston holds a 38-20 record, placing them second in the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the 37-23 Cavaliers.
While the regular season standings provide some insight, the real test comes during the NBA Playoffs. Here, the Celtics’ experience gives them an edge. Boston's 2024 championship run, despite moving on from key players like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford, still positions them as a formidable contender.
Given the unpredictability of the season, it's understandable why Windhorst and others might see the Celtics as the current favorites in the East. However, for the Cavaliers, this could serve as extra motivation to prove themselves come playoff time.