Are The Cavs Destined To Axe The Curse Forever?

Wednesday begins Cleveland's second Eastern Conference Finals series in the past three years. The matchup features the two best defensive players of the year in LeBron James and the '08-'09 winner, Dwight Howard.

But this matchup means more than just a championship opportunity for Cleveland. It's a chance for the city to exorcise the demons that have taken root for 45 years.

After the Cavs clinched their first division title in 30 years, James commented in an interview about how much a title means for the city.

Any fan knows the emotion he showed in that interview meant that this opportunity meant something special and so much to the fans.

Everyone seems to forget about Cleveland because they haven't played in over a week. It feels like they haven't played at all this entire postseason.

But anyone who follows the NBA knows how hard it is to sweep two teams in a row, let alone by double digits.

Cleveland has blazed this trail with the help of unflappable defense and timely shooting from James' teammates.

Mo Williams has been solid for the Cavs, but his backcourt teammate Delonte West has been good as well, providing great shooting and timely steals.

James' 32.9 ppg hasn't been too bad either.

In addition, the Cavs hold a blistering point differential of plus-16.8 points.

With eight wins until the title can be had, Cleveland's laser-like focus will be brought to the forefront. In addition, the defense will be tested by two of three offensive juggernauts in Orlando, and possibly in the finals by Los Angeles or Denver.

What are the Cavaliers fighting for besides their first title in franchise history?

They are literally carrying the burdens of a city starved of a winner for nearly a half-century. The city has seen so many sports tragedies and travesties that has brought its fans nothing but pain and grief for so long.

It's no secret that Cleveland is a dying city, but a championship would do wonders for its spirits.

Any Cleveland sports fan can run off the list of the horrible sports moments in history:

The Drive

Red Right 88

The Fumble

The Shot

The 1997 World Series

The Move

The list goes on and on. And any Clevelander doesn't need to watch the highlights to remember the pain of those moments.

All it takes it eight more wins to end the curse of Cleveland.

But when it's all said and done, the road to the championship goes through Quicken Loans Arena.

And if LeBron and the Cavs continue their incredible pace, Cleveland might have its first championship parade in almost 50 years.