Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor is joined by Mo Dakhil to discuss if the Cavaliers are on the Celtics’ level as NBA Finals contenders ahead of their matchup on Tuesday. Hear the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

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Video Transcript

First is Cleveland the undefeated 15 and, oh, Cleveland Cavaliers tied for the second best start to a season in NBA history.

Do you believe in the Cavaliers as a finals contender, Mo on the level of the Boston Celtics or are they still a tier or two tiers below Boston in your eyes, despite this fast start, I think if you told me at the beginning of the season, I’d have said that there are at least a tier, if not two.

I think at, at the very least right now, we have to look at it and say there there are a tier behind Boston.

And the only reason why I say that is Boston isn’t healthy.

It’s entirely different Boston Celtics team when they have Christo sporting, right?

Like as good as ever.

The thing is Christos really takes this team to another level, you know, both offensively and defensively that said, I love this Cleveland team.

This team has been awesome to watch.

I think Kenny Atkinson has done a phenomenal job getting buy in from the top four guys.

Could we see Boston begin to try to exploit that starting on Tuesday because I’d imagine Boston’s gonna come out with a game plan, fully prepared playoff mode trying to prove something against this undefeated team because it’s getting to the point now that I think Cleveland is gonna get the best of every opponent.

Like you wanna be the team that takes down the cavs and ends their undefeated streak.

Yeah, they won’t admit it, but it’s definitely one of those moments where you’re looking and going like, yo, they’re on our block.

We gotta nip this in the bud.

We gotta win this.

And it’s one of those.

Boston hasn’t played since Saturday.

They’ve had days to prepare for this too well rested and, and, and, and, and confident and, and, and sort of put the game plan together, could really install the game plan if you’re Joe Mazzulla and if you’re boss and this is your first chance to say, hey, you’re still our little brother, you know, we’re still the big dogs on this block.

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