After a nice bounce back win against Minnesota the Cavs return home to start the second half of the season with a matinee against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are 21-20 overall and 8-12 on the road. This is the first time these teams have played this season. With all eyes on the Ohio State-Notre Dame National Championship game later in the evening, this game will not be garnering a lot of attention.
The Suns are on a roll having won 5 of 6. For the third straight game the Cavs will be facing a star point guard; this time it’s Devin Booker who averages 25.8 points per game. The Cavs will also have to deal with Kevin Durant at 27.4 ppg, and possibly Bradley Beal and his 17.5 ppg. Beal was out on Saturday and is questionable for this game with an ankle sprain.
Point guard Tyus Jones averages 11.3 ppg and center Jusuf Nurkic averages 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. The Suns just traded for center Nick Richards and he had 21 points and 11 rebounds in his first game with the Suns in their win over Detroit on Saturday filling in for Nurkic.
Despite all the star power Phoenix is only 14th in scoring. They are a heavy jump shooting team, ranking 28th in points in the paint. No team takes fewer shots at the rim and they are 2nd in mid-range frequency. They are also 2nd in corner 3 frequency.
They don’t run much, ranking 21st in fast break points and 27th in field goal attempts per game. They’re good shooters, however, ranking 8th in effective field goal percentage. They’re especially good from deep, ranking 6th in 3-point percentage and they take slightly more 3’s than average. They also get to the line a lot, ranking 9th in free throws per possession. They don’t bang the boards much, ranking 26th in offensive rebound percentage.
The Suns are a little below average defensively, ranking 20th in points allowed per game. They are 24th in points allowed in the paint, so Allen and Mobley (if he plays) should be able to score inside, especially if Nurkic is still out. He was sick the last game and is a game time decision.
The Suns are 25th in defensive rebounding percentage so the Cavs should be able to get some second chance points.
The Suns are an average team that has been playing well lately. They started 12-8, then hit a rough patch where they went 3-10, but have now won 5 of 6. Two days ago they beat Detroit in Detroit without Beal and Nurkic, and the Pistons came in having won 10 of their last 13. Over the last two weeks they are 11th in point differential.
The Suns are 7-10 against the East and they don’t travel well as they are 13-8 at home and 8-12 on the road. The Cavs are 20-2 at home so on paper this should be another win. However, the Suns have outstanding scorers with Durant, Booker, and Beal if he plays, so they are a dangerous team. They are playing well and just beat Detroit on the road without two starters. The Cavs can’t take them lightly.
Injury Report
CLEVELAND
Luke Travers - OUT (ankle)
Emoni Bates - OUT (ankle)
Evan Mobley - OUT (calf)
Isaac Okoro - OUT (shoulder)
PHOENIX
Jusuf Nurkic - OUT (illness)
Bradley Beal - QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
The Suns are on a roll having won 5 of 6. For the third straight game the Cavs will be facing a star point guard; this time it’s Devin Booker who averages 25.8 points per game. The Cavs will also have to deal with Kevin Durant at 27.4 ppg, and possibly Bradley Beal and his 17.5 ppg. Beal was out on Saturday and is questionable for this game with an ankle sprain.
Point guard Tyus Jones averages 11.3 ppg and center Jusuf Nurkic averages 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. The Suns just traded for center Nick Richards and he had 21 points and 11 rebounds in his first game with the Suns in their win over Detroit on Saturday filling in for Nurkic.
Despite all the star power Phoenix is only 14th in scoring. They are a heavy jump shooting team, ranking 28th in points in the paint. No team takes fewer shots at the rim and they are 2nd in mid-range frequency. They are also 2nd in corner 3 frequency.
They don’t run much, ranking 21st in fast break points and 27th in field goal attempts per game. They’re good shooters, however, ranking 8th in effective field goal percentage. They’re especially good from deep, ranking 6th in 3-point percentage and they take slightly more 3’s than average. They also get to the line a lot, ranking 9th in free throws per possession. They don’t bang the boards much, ranking 26th in offensive rebound percentage.
The Suns are a little below average defensively, ranking 20th in points allowed per game. They are 24th in points allowed in the paint, so Allen and Mobley (if he plays) should be able to score inside, especially if Nurkic is still out. He was sick the last game and is a game time decision.
The Suns are 25th in defensive rebounding percentage so the Cavs should be able to get some second chance points.
The Suns are an average team that has been playing well lately. They started 12-8, then hit a rough patch where they went 3-10, but have now won 5 of 6. Two days ago they beat Detroit in Detroit without Beal and Nurkic, and the Pistons came in having won 10 of their last 13. Over the last two weeks they are 11th in point differential.
The Suns are 7-10 against the East and they don’t travel well as they are 13-8 at home and 8-12 on the road. The Cavs are 20-2 at home so on paper this should be another win. However, the Suns have outstanding scorers with Durant, Booker, and Beal if he plays, so they are a dangerous team. They are playing well and just beat Detroit on the road without two starters. The Cavs can’t take them lightly.
Injury Report
CLEVELAND
Luke Travers - OUT (ankle)
Emoni Bates - OUT (ankle)
Evan Mobley - OUT (calf)
Isaac Okoro - OUT (shoulder)
PHOENIX
Jusuf Nurkic - OUT (illness)
Bradley Beal - QUESTIONABLE (ankle)