Live Thread: Cavs @ Magic

Live Thread: Cavs @ Magic

2021-01-04 Off By David Wood

The 4-2 Cavs battle the 4-2 Magic tonight for the third game of their six game road trip. It’s a battle, a battle for one of the top spots in the conference. Excuse me, I’ll say it again, one of the top spots in the conference.
I know it’s less than ten games in, but whenever I have a chance to mention the Cavs and the top of the conference in the same sentence,  I’m going to do it.
Anyways, I haven’t had a chance to watch much of the Cavs yet (aside from a quarter here and there) but I’m looking forward to seeing some real NBA ball from the squad. It appears they’re moving the ball these days and they have a defense. They currently rank 2nd in defensive efficiency.
The Cavs will be without Kevin Porter (personal), Matthew Dellavedova (concussion), Kevin Love, and Dylan Windler. Issac Okoro is up in the air right now with a foot sprain and Darius Garland is too due to a strained shoulder.

The Magic are without Jonathan Issac, Chuma Okeke, and Al-Farouq Aminu. Evan Fournier and James Ennis III are questionable.

Things to Watch:
-The biggest thing I’ll be watching tonight is how Collin Sexton adjusts to some real defensive point guards with the Magic rolling out the just paid Markelle Fultz and the lanky Michael Carter Williams. Sexton is averaging 26 points on 55.6% shooting from the floor and 55% from 3-land to go with 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals a night. He’s the 11th highest scorer in the league right now.
Andre Drummond has also been posting monster lines averaging 17 points, 14.2 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks a night. Can he continue that production while having to step out onto Magic center Nikola Vucevic who is averaging 21.5 points a night to go with 11.5 boards and 2.7 3s. Who will guard Vucevic is the Cavs choose to put Drummond down low to protect the paint?

-Lastly, who are the Cavs going to send at Aaron Gordon? If Okoro is out, will Cedi get the start on him or is Larry Nance going to chase him around?

 

 

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