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Well, it was over before it started. In a stretch of games where the Cavs have only trailed for 35 seconds, the Magic didn’t stand a chance. Once again, the Cavs came out hot and put their opponent trying to play catchup. A quick 7-0 leaded morphed into a double-digit lead which then morphed into a 38-point first quarter. Nothing but good things happen when you can convert kick-outs. First it was Strus, then it was Okoro and then it was Wade. Each scored on a kick-out three-pointer in the game’s opening minutes and speaks to how the Cavs are playing and finding success. Their defense was working early, forcing six Magic turnovers within the first seven minutes. They were forcing turnovers like Sam Merrill puts up three-point shots. The...

On a seven-game winning streak the Cavs roll into Orlando to take on the Magic for the third time this season. The Cavs won in Cleveland by a 121-111 score with their usual starting lineup intact. They lost in Orlando 104-94 without Mobley and LeVert. Allen fouled out in 15 minutes and the Cavs shot 35.3% from the field. Both games were in early December, when they were playing .500 ball and before they changed up their approach. Orlando is 23-20 overall and 14-6 at home. They started off gangbusters with a 16-7 record but since have gone 7-13. Part of the drop-off was losing star forward Franz Wagner, who missed eight games, but they’ve also had a very tough schedule - fourth toughest in the NBA this year. Over the last 19 games they...

Well, that was fun. The Cavs continued their winning, and shooting ways in Atlanta. While no player scored over 18 points, seven Cavalier players scored in double digits. They shared the wealth, shared the ball (32 assits) and ended up sharing in a win. Once again, the Cavs came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. It only took 1:50 in game time for Quin Snyder to take a timeout. The Cavs went up 8-0 early, and continued it to 15-4 and 20-10. They talked about it on the broadcast – During their seven game win streak they’re trailed the least in the NBA. In part its due to their quick starts, like tonight. Since December 17, the Cavs are 5th in first quarter net rating. Their offensive rating is 125.6 which is 2nd. Getting on top of...

You can call them “butter” ‘cause they’re on a roll! Having won 11 of 14, the Cavs hit the road for their third game of the year against the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavs won the first two matchups in Cleveland by scores of 128-105 and 127-119. That second game was played without Mobley and Garland. The Cavs used the same starting lineup for that Dec. 16 game that they will use tonight. The Cavs won that game thanks to 18 offensive rebounds as they took 16 more shots than the Hawks. Atlanta is 18-23 overall and 8-11 at home. Last night they beat the Heat in Miami without Trae Young, so they will be playing the second night of a back-to-back, although with a short flight, while the Cavs have had two days off. The Hawks started the season...

Roster building is a balance of talent and fit. Too much talent, and there is a risk of overlapping skillsets and an ill-fitting roster. Focus too much on fit and your team’s ceiling may be capped as top-end talent is required to win at a high level in the NBA. The Cavs find themselves at the intersection of talent and fit and may be forced to evaluate if resources are properly allocated. The roster is filled with talent however as the season has progressed the talent is seemingly heavy in the backcourt and lacking in the frontcourt. The talent is there but the fit may not be. Start with your two of your cornerstones: Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Between the two, they average 71 minutes per game. With 96 minutes available...

Georges Niang having 20 points at half time and Thanasis Antetokounmpo playing in the 3rd quarter is all one needs to know about how the game went. The game got close-ish (under double digit lead) at one point but the Bucks never led, and the Cavs led by as much as 47 points. DonovHIM was HIM early. Mitchell set the tone coming out aggressive and looking to get his shot. He scored 12 of his 14 first quarter points in a three-minute span which ended with the Cavs going up 20-2 to start the game. There was step back jumpers, drives to the rim and finesse finishes – he had it all going out of the gate. How does a 22-4 start sound? Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch but as many super powers as he has, he might not even been able to...