Live Thread: Cavs vs. Suns (#CloudyWithAChanceOfTempo)

[Editor’s Note: It was a busy content day here at C:tB, and even though there’s a game tonight, make sure you check out both Robert’s Point Four-ward and David’s Wood Shop article… they are excellent!]

If someone had bet me that Phoenix Suns Head Coach, Jeff Hornacek, would have outlasted David Blatt as an employed NBA coach this season… I would have lost a lot of money. Despite his seat being hotter than the surface of the actual sun, with a disappointing team featuring players in open revolt and a torrential downpour of injuries, Hornacek still wears a suit and holds a clipboard while Blatt now gets paid to not show up for work. Or maybe he’s just sitting on a beach with Hans, earning 20 percent. In any event, it’s not my intention to rain on the Cavs’ Ty Lue parade (or sprint drills as the case may be), but only to point out how suddenly the storms of discontent can roll in and cast an unexpected shadow on an organization.

The good news is that the Suns are still sinking in the West, and a Cavs victory should be a little easier to predict given the disarray and tired legs of their opponent (Phoenix lost the front end of a back-to-back last night against the equally miserable Sixers). They have fallen to 14-32, and have lost their last 11 road games in a row. The injury bug has fairly decimated their back court, with Eric Bledsoe out for the season and Brandon Knight ailing, although backup, Archie Goodwin, has had three straight 20+ point games in their stead. Phoenix also features two buzzed about potential trade targets for the Cavs in towel-throwing problem child, Markieff Morris, and misused big man, Tyson Chandler.

Despite the recent cloud cover for the Cavs, there was a bit of blue sky that peeked through in Monday’s win against the T-Wolves, as the team secured the first victory of the Ty Lue era. They seemed a little less winded from the up-tempo style that Lue is incorporating, and their shooting cold front thawed out a bit. Since the Suns like to run the ball a lot themselves (they average 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, good for fourth in the league), the Cavs should get lots of practice getting up and down the court. The real question is whether they can weather the Suns attack and make some defensive adjustments and improvements, although they might have a little help from former Sun, Mike Longabardi, who was officially hired as the Cavs’ Defensive Coordinator today.

The Cavs beat the Suns when they squared off in Phoenix, eclipsing them 101-97 with a scorching fourth quarter performance from Kyrie Irving (including a dagger three with 22 seconds left). That game also marked the debut of Tristan Thompson in the starting lineup, a move that will be replicated for tonight’s contest.

Probable starting lineup for the Cavs is: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. And, for the Suns: Archie Goodwin, Devin Booker, P.J. Tucker, Alex Len and Tyson Chandler.

The game starts at 7pm (EST) and can be seen on FSO, or heard on WTAM 1100.

Forecast: Cavs brighten their outlook without letting the Suns shine, and win 117-105.

Also… keep an eye on LeBron James, as he could be just the 17th player in NBA history to reach the 26K plateau if he can rain down 36 points tonight.