by ASA, Inc.
Friday, Feb 20, 2026Cleveland Cavaliers (+350) to win the Eastern Conference
Cleveland made the biggest splash of any team before the trade deadline, acquiring James Harden from the Clippers in early February. The trade has sparked the Cavs offense who is averaging 130ppg over the first three games that the 11-time All Star has played. Donovan Mitchell is having another All-NBA caliber season and the addition of Harden makes the duo the highest scoring guarding combination in the NBA in terms of ppg. Additionally, backcourt mates Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson bring some serious sharpshooting, both top three in three point percentage at a staging 47% on high volumes. Rounding out the frontcourt, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen bring rim protecting length, elite rebounding, and more offense, averaging a combined 32ppg between them. As a cherry on top, Max Strus may be able to make a return before the playoffs after missing all season due to a foot surgery. He averaged 12ppg in the 2025 playoffs. Winners of eleven of the last twelve games, Cleveland sits securely as the four seed while being less than two games behind the Celtics and Knicks for the number two spot in the East. Even more enticing, the Cavs have one of the five easiest strengths of schedules remaining. On the contrary, Boston and New York will have a very difficult road, both encountering a top ten schedule in terms of strength. According to odds makers it is a four team race for who comes out of the East. Boston is +340, Cleveland +350, Detroit +360, and New York is +410. With a race this wide open, the East is ripe for the taking and we think the Cavs have what it takes to make an NBA Finals appearance.
