Cavaliers 2017-18 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Cleveland Cavaliers know the road they must navigate as they attempt to reach their fourth straight NBA Finals following Monday's schedule release.

There is additional urgency for Cleveland in the 2017-18 season because LeBron James can become a free agent in the upcoming summer with a player option. The potentially limited window to compete for championships also stands out after a tumultuous offseason

The Cavaliers didn't bring back general manager David Griffin, and James was reportedly "frustrated" with the team's ability to keep pace with the Golden State Warriors after Griffin's exit and a failure to trade for superstars like Paul George and Jimmy Butler, per Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.

Kyrie Irving even told Sports Illustrated's Maggie Gray "we're in a very peculiar place" when discussing the organization's outlook.

Despite uncertainty regarding Cleveland's long-term future, it is still the class of the Eastern Conference heading into this season. Here is a breakdown of the schedule.

2017-18 Details

Season Opener: Tuesday, Oct. 17, vs. Boston Celtics

Championship Odds: 4-1 (via OddsShark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com 

Top Matchups

Golden State Warriors: Dec. 25; Jan. 15

Fans will receive their first glimpse at a potential fourth straight NBA Finals showdown between the NBA's two premier superteams when the Cavaliers line up against the Golden State Warriors during the regular season.

Golden State won the past Finals matchup in five games, but many of the contests could have gone either way. The starpower of James, Irving, Kevin Love and Cleveland's supporting cast on one side and Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the other makes these games appointment viewing once again.

Last year's Christmas Day contest between the Cavaliers and Warriors was one of the most entertaining showdowns of the 2016-17 season. Irving drilled a game-winning shot to propel Cleveland to a 109-108 win, continuing the team's momentum from the previous Finals victory.

While the important clashes with the Warriors may not be until June for the Cavaliers, the regular-season games will still serve as a barometer for where they stand in 2017-18.

Boston Celtics: Oct. 17, Jan. 3, Feb. 11

The intrigue surrounding these matchups goes beyond the fact they will be Eastern Conference Finals rematches.

The Boston Celtics retooled, drafting Duke's Jayson Tatum No. 3 overall and signing Gordon Hayward in one of the marquee moves of the offseason. Boston was clearly attempting to close the gap on the Cavaliers after James and Co. dispatched the team in five games in last season's postseason matchup.

While these head-to-head showdowns will go a long way toward determining home-court advantage for another potential playoff clash, the Cavaliers proved they don't need the benefit of familiar surroundings to beat Boston.

Still, these games give the Cavaliers an opportunity to make a statement and prove to the Celtics they are still the best team in the East when playing to their full potential. A handful of performances like that would likely impact Boston's confidence if the two sides did meet in the playoffs again.

Record Prediction

Cleveland went 51-31 last season, and the lack of home-court advantage against the Celtics wasn't an issue with a straightforward five-game victory in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Cavaliers are once again a well-oiled machine aiming at a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals, and they understand the importance of being healthy and ready to play in May and June compared to December and January.

With that in mind, expect Cleveland to treat any slight injury or even crowded portion of its schedule with the utmost caution and rest players accordingly so they are ready to hit their stride in the playoffs. The Cavaliers already proved last year they can win without home-court advantage, and their 2016 championship came after a Game 7 win at Golden State.

Talent is not a question, but there is no reason to expect a drastically different record than last season with largely the same team and the same championship-or-bust mentality returning.

Look for Cleveland to cruise to a similar finish before turning things on in the playoffs.

Prediction: 52-30