The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently tied with two other teams for the second-best start in NBA history.
At 15-0, they trail only the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who famously opened their season with a remarkable 24-0 record en route to posting the best regular-season record the NBA has seen.
While the Cavaliers have a long way to go to match that level of dominance, their impressive start has captured attention across the league.
However, NBA odds suggest that their first loss might be just around the corner.
| Opponent/Date | Odds |
|---|---|
 Boston Celtics (Nov. 19) |
-180 |
 Washington Wizards (Dec. 3) or AFTER this game |
+750 |
 Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 29) |
+900 |
| Boston Celtics (Dec. 1) |
+1,000 |
| Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 27) |
+1,200 |
 New Orleans Pelicans (Nov. 20) |
+1,400 |
 Toronto Raptors (Nov. 24) |
+2,200 |
Odds as of 11-18-24
Season at a glance
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the year trading at +3,500 on the NBA Championship odds. They were not among the favorites but were expected to make the postseason and perhaps win a playoff round or two.
What's transpired over the first month of the season is something that not even LeBron James could make happen in his two stints in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers own the league's top-rated offense (122.1) and are the most accurate team from the field (52.4%) and beyond the arc (41.9%). If you are a glass-half-full kind of person, you'll be quick to dismiss the notion that the Cavaliers can't sustain this level of shooting for the full 82-game grind that is the NBA season.
For the optimists who want to believe the Cavs have unleashed a new brand of basketball predicated on playing fast and making the extra pass, Cleveland appears built to swat away any challenge that may come its way.
It has six players scoring in double figures with the one-two punch of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland leading the charge. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are among the best center duos league-wide, and Caris LeVert has made the most of his time coming off the bench.
If there's one issue that could bite the Cavs in the butt in their pursuit of Golden State's 24-0 record, it's free-throw shooting as they are only hitting 78.5% of their attempts from the line.
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When will the Cavaliers' first loss come?
One quick look at the NBA odds for Tuesday's slate, and you will see the Boston Celtics favored to hand Cleveland its first loss.
The Celtics are -4.5-point favorites and -180 on the moneyline in this NBA Cup Group Play game.
Do I believe the Celtics are good enough to beat the Cavaliers? Yes. Do I believe they will on Tuesday? No.
The Cavs should have their way with the Celtics in the paint, which will force Boston to collapse, thus freeing up the hot shooting from the outside.
Given the odds from the above table, I believe there's plenty of value in Atlanta on November 29 at +900.
This game will be the back end of a home and home, and the Hawks will be able to make adjustments.
It may also be a look-ahead spot for the Cavs, with the Celtics coming to town just two days later.
Best bet: at Atlanta (Nov. 29) (+900 at DraftKings)
