Live Thread: Cavs vs Mavericks

Tonight is likely the Cavaliers biggest challenge yet to remain undefeated at home.  This Mavericks team has come out playing better than even expected and have a lot of length in all the places the Cavs do not.  Fortunately the Mavs have also had a bit of trouble in the rebound department so far and that is where Love and TT have a chance to really make their mark.  Dallas’s leading rebounder so far has been Luka Doncic and if Cleveland’s bigs can keep him away from the boards the Cavs could generate enough of a rebounding advantage to cover up for the inevitable rookie mistakes.

The Cavs will have their hands full trying to guard Dallas’s longer perimeter players and this game will likely especially come down to how they can contain and or minimize Doncic’s plethora of skills on the wing.  This will definitely be a huge ask from Cedi Osman and a test to see if he can really turn around his defensive reputation and establish himself as at least a competent defender when not being played out of position at the “4”.

In the end I’m predicting the Cavs have a chance tonight if they can make it about rebounding.  Cleveland has had 11.0 offensive boards in victories and just 7.7 in defeats (per Dan Gilinsky of King James Gospel, referencing NBA.com stats).  Expect a Boban Marjanovic sighting if the Mavs get desperate to slow down the rebounding of Love, TT, and Nance.  Right to the buzzer expect a hard fought battle, but home cooking and rebound games (in both senses of the word) for several Cavs could help them squeak this one out and stay undefeated at home, Cavs 114 – Mavs -111.

Here’s hoping I get my first Live Thread prediction right, and as always, Go Cavs!