Unbeaten Celtics, Cavaliers, and Thunder All Set to Compete Tonight

It's still early in the NBA season, but three teams remain undefeated after a week of action. Expected powerhouses like the defending champion Celtics and the rising Thunder have yet to lose, while the Cavaliers have surprised many with a 4-0 start.

The Celtics aim for a 5-0 record tonight as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers (7 ET, ESPN). So far, Boston has dominated their opponents, boasting an average points differential of 15.0. Their impressive run began with a statement win over the Knicks on opening night, where they tied the NBA single-game record for three-pointers made with 29. The Celtics cruised past the Wizards and then secured a hard-fought six-point victory against the Pistons on the road. Earlier this week, their 119-108 win over the Bucks was particularly significant, marking a crucial head-to-head victory against a team expected to contend in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the Pacers starting the season at 1-3, they remain a formidable opponent capable of giving the Celtics a challenge. Boston will need to contain Indiana’s frontcourt duo of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, which has proven to be one of the toughest tandems in the league thus far.

The Cavaliers have made a strong statement this season, starting off with a perfect 4-0 record. They’ll aim to keep their undefeated streak alive tonight, but facing LeBron James and the Lakers will be a challenging task (7 ET, NBA League Pass).

Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season and is looking to build on that success this year. So far, they’ve been impressive, boasting the highest points differential in the Eastern Conference at 16.8 points per game, with victories over the Raptors, Pistons, Wizards, and Knicks.

LeBron's return to Cleveland is certainly a major storyline, but there’s much more to consider in this matchup. The Cavaliers currently rank first in effective field goal percentage in the NBA, with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley all enjoying strong starts. Additionally, they’ve showcased a formidable defense, particularly in the paint, which will be tested by Anthony Davis, who has been performing at an MVP level.

Meanwhile, the Thunder will look to improve to 4-0 as they host Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET, ESPN). Oklahoma City has established itself as a frontrunner in the Western Conference, cruising to a 3-0 record with an average points differential of 19.3, winning each game by at least 17 points. A highlight of their season so far was a 17-point victory in Denver during the season opener, where Chet Holmgren made a significant impact with 25 points and four blocks.

Holmgren's ability to contain Wembanyama will be crucial for the Thunder as they seek a home win tonight. However, even if Wembanyama finds an advantage over Holmgren, Oklahoma City’s top talent may prove to be too much for the Spurs to handle.