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Coming off a short-handed, OT thrilling win in Philadelphia on the second night of a back-to-back with the visiting Miami Heat having last played on Monday, the Cavs figured to be a likely victim to a scheduling loss. Just not so sure some expected it to be a 33-point scheduling loss. The Cleveland Charge may have been healthier, more well rested and quite frankly a better challenge for the Miami Heat. If it’s any indication of how the night went, most of the 4th quarter was played by the Cavs (Championship) Summer League nucleus of Emoni Bates, CRAIG! Porter Jr, Isaiah Mobley and Sam Merrill. Down Donovan Mitchell, Ty Jerome, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade and a minutes restricted Caris LeVert, CRAIG! Porter Jr got his first NBA start. As...

With a four-game win streak in tow and having won 6 of 8 the streaking Cavaliers return home for the second night of a back-to-back against an even hotter Miami Heat. The Heat have won 8 of 9 and are 9-5 overall. In addition, they were off last night while the Cavs had to play an overtime game in Philadelphia and then travel. Darius Garland and Max Strus played 44 and 43 minutes last night, so the Cavs’ starting guards will be worn out. Everything points to a Miami win. However, if Donovan Mitchell or Caris LeVert can return from injuries it would help tremendously. The Heat are led by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro each averaging between 21-23 ppg. Duncan Robinson averages 15 points and nobody else is in double figures. Kevin...

Whewwwwwww. Deep breath after that one. Who said the in-season tournament wasn’t fun?! Also, who had the Cavs going on a 4-game win streak with two wins coming against the Nuggets and Sixers without Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Isaac Okoro? The Cavs came out playing well and it didn’t stop until deep into the 2nd half after a Darius Garland injury and a switch-up in defensive strategy by the Sixers. The Cavs led by as much as 18 and ended up winning by 3. More on that later. Garland was relentless in punishing Joel Embiid on the pick-and-roll all night. The Sixers have Embiid play drop coverage, or sagging off of the pick-and-roll to cover the paint. This created opportunities for Garland in the mid-range, and for big men drop...

Take a bow Craig Porter Jr! Injuries in the backcourt pressed Porter Jr. into action, and if the Cavs thought they found something before, they have to know they’ve found something now. Porter was relentless in attacking the rim. His combination of ability to get vertical quickly and his creativity in finishing around the rim is a sight to behold. He’s consistently putting pressure on the inside/middle of the defense. He seems to just glide when he’s on the court. Off the ball, Porter Jr. always seems to be around the ball – whether it was the four rebounds, two steals or one block. Sometimes jobs are relinquished due to injury, and that just may be the case whenever Ty Jerome comes back. The question for Porter Jr. is how long can be...

Winners of three straight and five of seven, the Cavs take on the Philadelphia 76ers at their house. The Sixers are 10-3 but are missing starting SG Kelly Oubre, who averages 16.3 points in 29 minutes per game. The Sixers are 6-1 when Oubre plays and 4-2 when he doesn't. For the second game in a row the Cavs will be playing an elite team with one starter out. They hammered Denver without Jamal Murray; now they get the 76ers without Oubre. For the Cavs its a game time decision for Mitchell, LeVert, and Okoro. The Sixers have the second best record in the NBA, trailing only Boston's 11-2. Philly has split with Boston, beating them with Oubre and losing without him, both games being in Philly. Joel Embiid leads the Sixers with a line of...

Although the Browns will take center stage, the Cavaliers also have a game and this one against the defending Champion Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are off to a great start at 9-3 but they have lost their last three road games. Their last four games have all been close with two 3-point wins at home and two road losses by 3 and 5 points. The Nuggets are missing their starting point guard, Jamal Murray, who averages 16.3 points and 7.4 assists. The Nuggets are 6-1 when he plays and 3-2 when he's out. The backup point is Reggie Jackson, age 33, who has been averaging 29 minutes a game since Murray has been out. He's still a good player, averaging 14.6 ppg as a starter, but they don't play him more than 32 minutes. They don't have another...