Danny Cunningham here, the host of the daily Locked On Cavs podcast, with your daily Locked On Cavs newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Cavs and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How Long Can The Cleveland Cavaliers Stay Unbeaten?
With a 7-0 record, the Cavs are making waves, but there’s still room for growth. Let’s explore how they’ve achieved this success and what lies ahead.
- Offensive Prowess: The Cavaliers have been a force on offense, boasting an offensive rating of 121.9, second only to the Golden State Warriors. This transformation is largely credited to Kenny Atkinson’s strategic approach, utilizing the same roster as last year but with a fresh perspective. The team’s pace has improved significantly, moving from 24th to 11th in the league, thanks to increased transition play and more possessions per game.
- Key Players: Evan Mobley has been instrumental in the Cavs’ offensive surge, particularly in transition. His ability to grab rebounds and push the ball up the court has added a new dimension to their play. Additionally, Sam Merrill’s emergence as a reliable bench player has provided a boost, with his shooting and playmaking contributing to the team’s success.
- Defensive Strength: On the defensive end, the Cavs rank fourth in the NBA with a defensive rating of 107.7. The duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley continues to anchor the defense, providing a formidable presence at the rim. Darius Garland’s improved defensive effort has also been noteworthy, showcasing his commitment to becoming a more well-rounded player.
- Areas for Improvement: Despite their strong start, the Cavs can still enhance their game by increasing their three-point attempts. Currently ranked 17th in the league for three-point attempts, there’s potential to climb higher and capitalize on their shooting accuracy, which stands at 40.6%.
- Upcoming Challenges: The Cavs face a challenging week with matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets. Each game presents unique challenges, but the Cavs are poised to continue their winning ways.
Thank you for joining us on Locked On Cavs. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as we follow the Cavaliers’ quest for greatness.
Reflections from Vince Carter’s jersey retirement night
The Toronto Raptors retired Vince Carter’s jersey on Saturday night. The ceremony came during half time of the Raptors-Kings game, where an emotional Carter and his family watched a banner with his number and the iconic photo of him mid-between-the-legs-dunk rise up to the rafters in the arena it all started in for him. That moment marked a culmination. Of a career, of a person’s trepidatious relationship with a city and its fan base, of a distinct era of NBA basketball and identity of a franchise, but also of a month’s worth of moments for Carter.
The Raptors made the announcement at a community basketball court dedication to Carter in late September, where franchise president Masai Ujiri thanked Carter for all he did to inspire the game in Canada and put the Raptors franchise on the map. “Time heals things,” Ujiri told the crowd before he confirmed Carter would be the first player in team history to have their number retired. Carter was overcome and fought back tears as he thanked the crowd, Ujiri and the city.
The tributes continued. Carter had an airplane dedicated to him by one of the country’s major airlines, Air Canada, in a nod to his nickname of the same. A mural was unveiled in downtown Toronto, and it was announced Carter would join as a broadcaster to provide coverage for select games this season — also the Raptors 30th anniversary season.
Given the host of accolades and recognition, I found it telling when Carter sat down in front of assembled media prior to Saturday night’s game for a pre-ceremony presser, and said he wasn’t sure what to expect of the night but encouraged everyone to “live in the moment”. I asked him, in light of every tribute and celebration thus far, how he was doing that or if his perception of the moment changed. He laughed. “I’m fighting,” he admitted.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Feel Good Two unsung heroes spark Cavaliers’ comeback against the Bucks, showcasing depth and resilience of the roster. (Sports Illustrated)
Honor Donovan Mitchell hit a game-winner, keeping the Cavaliers undefeated, and reinforcing his clutch performance reputation. (Sports Illustrated)
Biz The NBA intentionally scheduled no games on U.S. Election Day (E! News)
Analysis What happens to Damian Lillard if Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves the Bucks? (CBS)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Paul George’s Return Is A Huge Fantasy Basketball Boost
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Brett Davis-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to delve into the latest injury updates and player performances that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With only three games on Sunday, the anticipation builds for an action-packed 15-game day. Let’s explore the key developments and what they mean for your fantasy lineup.
Injury Updates: Key Players to Watch
Zach LaVine’s shoulder issues continue to be a concern, leaving his status questionable. This ongoing problem could affect his availability, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert’s ankle sprain opens opportunities for Naz Reid and Luka Garza, especially in deeper leagues. With Aaron Nesmith out and Andrew Nembhard questionable, Ben Mathurin and Jarace Walker are set to see increased roles, potentially stepping into starting positions or gaining extra minutes.
Lauri Markkanen’s return from back spasms is imminent, which is great news for fantasy managers. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s absence isn’t surprising, but Paul George’s expected return is a significant development. Despite being listed as questionable, reports suggest George is ready to play, albeit with a possible minutes restriction. This isn’t a long-term injury, so expect him to be back in full swing soon.
Player Performances: Who’s Stepping Up?
The Detroit Pistons secured a road win against the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing improved play compared to last season. Jalen Duren stood out with a solid performance, contributing 13 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. His increased minutes were partly due to Isaiah Stewart fouling out, but it’s a positive sign for Duren’s fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
The Cavs Aren’t a Finished Product The Cavs have been the best team in the NBA and they’re doing it thanks to a number of different improvements on both sides of the court. Learn exactly what the Cavs are doing differently than before and how they can still get better.
Spidaman to the Rescue! Donovan Mitchell moved the Cavs to 7-0 with a game-winner against the Milwaukee Bucks coming with just 0.3 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Cavs overcame a 16-point first half deficit in the win.
