Few have given anyone else a chance of getting out of the Eastern Conference besides the Cavs. There are a lot of good reasons for that, starting with LeBron James and ending with no one else has anything close.
That doesn’t mean the Cavs can sleep walk through the East side of the NBA Playoffs. Besides needing to get themselves together, in rhythm and gelling, the Cavs can’t assume that they will win every series easily. It also could help them build confidence if they dominate the East.
Short series also will keep the rested and, presumably, healthy.