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5 Eastern Conference Teams With The Best Chance To Upend Cleveland Cavaliers In 2016 NBA Playoffs

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are the overwhelming favorite to repeat as Eastern Conference champions and advance to the NBA Finals. They are the No. 1 seed and have LeBron James. There appears to be no legitimate challenge in the way. With that said, there’s always a chance that something crazy could happen in the playoffs and the Cavs could go down, no matter how slim the chance might be.

These are the five Eastern Conference teams most likely to pull off the upset.

5. Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Getty Images
This one was a toss-up between the Hornets and the Pacers, but Charlotte gets the nod because they actually beat the Cavs. They are ninth in defensive rating, despite playing almost the entire season without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

This one was a toss-up between the Hornets and the Pacers, but Charlotte gets the nod because they actually beat the Cavs. They are ninth in defensive rating, despite playing almost the entire season without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

4. Miami Heat

Miami Heat Getty Images
LeBron's former teammate and best friend Dwyane Wade knows his game better than anyone, but the Heat's chances took a huge hit when Chris Bosh was again injured. Even with Bosh, Miami likely didn't have the offense to compete with the Cavs.

LeBron's former teammate and best friend Dwyane Wade knows his game better than anyone, but the Heat's chances took a huge hit when Chris Bosh was again injured. Even with Bosh, Miami likely didn't have the offense to compete with the Cavs.

3. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks Getty Images
The Hawks are slumping. They've only won half of their last 10, and rumors of Jeff Teague and Al Horford being moved at the deadline likely didn't help. On the other hand, their defense is great and they have two All-Star bigs. Don't count them out.

The Hawks are slumping. They've only won half of their last 10, and rumors of Jeff Teague and Al Horford being moved at the deadline likely didn't help. On the other hand, their defense is great and they have two All-Star bigs. Don't count them out.

2. Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics Getty Images
The Celtics played the Cavs last year to the most impressive first-round sweep in NBA Playoffs history. They've gotten even better this season with the league's second-best defense. Isaiah Thomas' pick-and-rolls would wreak havoc on Kyrie Irving.

The Celtics played the Cavs last year to the most impressive first-round sweep in NBA Playoffs history. They've gotten even better this season with the league's second-best defense. Isaiah Thomas' pick-and-rolls would wreak havoc on Kyrie Irving.

1. Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors Getty Images
Despite beating the Cavs twice in three tries this season and being just two games behind them for first place, the Raptors still get no respect. Toronto's backcourt of Lowry and DeRozan combine for 43.5 percent of their points and 16.6 win shares.

Despite beating the Cavs twice in three tries this season and being just two games behind them for first place, the Raptors still get no respect. Toronto's backcourt of Lowry and DeRozan combine for 43.5 percent of their points and 16.6 win shares.

Chipper Murphy is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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