Defending NBA champs have been known to rise up to challenges before. It was 52 years ago that the '71-72 Lakers had won a record 33 straight (a mark that still stands) before forced to go to Milwaukee for a Sunday afternoon nationally televised game by ABC. The defending champ Bucks would roll and end the LA win streak. Here we go tonight with the Cavs at 15-0, but they're 0-0 vs. the defending champ Celtics, who are sure to accept the challenge of Cleveland tonight. The Cavs have been a whirling dervish for Kenny Atkinson thus far, and were even able to rest Donovan Mitchell and suffer no consequences in the Sunday game against the Hornets. With the league's top offense and playing at the seventh-fastest pace, the Cavs only go at one speed--fast. Beating Boston is a different matter, however. The absences of Kristaps Porzingis is a negative, but one that has been overcome before by the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown looks fine after missing a few games earlier in the season. Jayson Tatum also proved a lot for the Cavs to handle as he led Boston in scoring both times it beat Cleveland at TD Garden last season. Play Celtics