Arguably, the best team in the Eastern Conference right now is the Boston Celtics. Not the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the conference’s titles in each of the last three seasons. In fact, the Celtics might just be the best team in all of the NBA right now, a case you could make based on the team’s league-best record of 16-2 as of this writing.
However, it’ll take more than an early surge by the Celtics for Cavs shooting guard J.R. Smith to start worrying about Boston. Speaking to Vincent Goodwill of Bleacher Report, the 32-year-old sharpshooter said that he’ll only start minding teams, or the Celtics for that matter, after the All-Star break.
“Nah,” JR Smith told B/R when asked if they’re paying attention to the league-leading Celtics. “It’s too early. Too early. We don’t start paying attention until after All-Star break when you see teams spacing out (in the standings). You start getting your best shot after the All-Star break.”
As what Smith implied, the Cavs are better off focusing on their own team. The defending Eastern Conference champions have struggled early in the season, though they are starting to right their ship. Since going 5-7 in their first 12 games, the Cavs have gone undefeated, winning all of their five next games, including a merciless thumping on the road of the Detroit Pistons on Monday, 116-88.
J.R. Smith and the Cavs will look to extend their win streak to six games this coming Wednesday when they get the Brooklyn Nets at home.
As for the next meeting between Cleveland and Boston, that would come on Jan. 3 at TD Garden.