**Celtics Dominate on the Road as East Rivals Emerge**

The Boston Celtics, under the guidance of head coach Joe Mazzulla, have showcased their strength with a dominant 123-93 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, concluding a successful 3-1 road trip. Even with a relatively lenient schedule, the Celtics have been impressive, posting an improved offensive performance compared to last year's record-breaking results, despite Kristaps Porzingis' absence. Their defense, currently ranked 6th in the NBA, is also showing significant progress. Jayson Tatum is strengthening his MVP candidacy, with Payton Pritchard emerging as a strong contender for the Sixth Man of the Year. Unexpected contributors, such as Neemias Queta, have bolstered the team's lineup, leading to an impressive 7-1 start.

Expectations were high for a challenging season for the Celtics in a revamped Eastern Conference, but many of their anticipated rivals have struggled. The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are languishing towards the bottom of the Eastern standings due to injuries and defensive problems. The New York Knicks are still trying to find their chemistry amidst an unstable start. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have shown inconsistency, despite securing an OT win over Boston.

Remarkably, only two teams in the Eastern Conference have records above .500 after the first two weeks of the season. However, the Celtics seem to have found a genuine competitor in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers are one of the two unbeaten teams in the league, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite missing sharpshooter Max Strus, the Cavs boast the second-best offense in the NBA, trailing only Boston. Their 8-0 start includes five consecutive victories against likely playoff contenders, with their advanced metrics matching Boston's impressive +12.7 net rating.

While the Cavaliers have a lot to prove in the postseason to be seen as legitimate threats to the Celtics, their regular-season performance speaks volumes. The team benefits from a deep roster with strong continuity and a coach with a proven ability to maximize his players' potential, as evidenced by Atkinson's tenure with the Brooklyn Nets pre-Kyrie/KD era.

This newfound competition should help Joe Mazzulla maintain the Celtics' focus throughout the lengthy regular season. Last year, Boston effectively secured the Eastern Conference regular-season title by March, allowing them to enter the playoffs in top form. A similar early runaway this season seems less likely given the Cavaliers' undefeated start, although competition at the top remains sparse beyond Cleveland. The Cavs appear equipped to make the contest interesting, joining elite starters such as Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Golden State.

The Celtics will have their first significant test against such top-tier competition on Wednesday night when the Golden State Warriors visit. In two weeks, Boston will face the Cavaliers in an in-season tournament matchup. By then, Celtics fans will have a clearer picture of whether Cleveland's strong start is sustainable, indicating potential challenges and key matchups for the season ahead.