Fansided

5 teams that can challenge the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference

By John Buhler

Nov 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives around Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives around Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are the clear favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Here are five teams in the East that can at least challenge them.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 8-1 on the season entering play on Tuesday. Cleveland looks every bit a contender for the title, so it’s not hard to see why LeBron James and the Cavaliers are the presumptive favorites to win the Eastern Conference for the third straight season.

That being said, maybe the gap between one and two in the East isn’t as vast as it has been in previous seasons. The Cavs should still win the conference, but here are five teams in the East that can challenge them.

Oct 30, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Since Jason Kidd became head coach in 2014-15, the Milwaukee Bucks have been a terrifying unknown in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee has an incredibly young corps, headlined by a budding superstar in point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The East has been wary for some time about when this young Bucks team eventually pops. 2014-15 saw the club become a hassle defensively. 2015-16 was admittedly a step in the wrong direction, but Kidd missed roughly half the season because of hip surgery.

Now that he’s back at the helm, Milwaukee is top-10 in defensive efficiency (ninth at 104.7) and top-half in offensive rating (15th at 106.7). The Bucks are going to win with defense this year, but if the offense continues to improve, this team will be a tough out in playoffs.

A strong defensive-minded team with a great front court presence could stifle the Cavaliers come playoff time. If Antetokounmpo learns to shoot 3-pointers, Milwaukee could make it to the conference finals, possibly upsetting the Cavs along the way.

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