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.
Cavs Set a Franchise Record with 9-0 Start
The Cavs have set a franchise record with their ninth consecutive win, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 131-122. Let’s break down the game and what this means for the team moving forward.
- Franchise Record: The Cavaliers are off to their best start in history, boasting a 9-0 record. This makes them the only undefeated team in the NBA, a testament to their impressive performance this season.
- Game Recap: Despite not being at their best, the Cavs managed to score 131 points against the Pelicans. The team showed resilience, overcoming a sluggish start and a deficit in the first quarter, thanks to a pivotal run led by Ty Jerome in the second quarter.
- Offensive Turnaround: Compared to last season, the Cavs have significantly improved offensively. They’ve scored over 130 points in four of their nine games this season, matching their total from the entire previous season.
- Team Effort: The victory was a collective effort, with six players scoring in double figures. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen were among the standout performers, each contributing significantly to the win.
- Defensive Highlights: Allen’s block in the third quarter was a game-changer, igniting the team’s defense and leading to a strong offensive performance. The Cavs outscored the Pelicans 40-29 in the third quarter, showcasing their ability to dominate on both ends of the floor.
- Challenges Overcome: The Cavs faced a challenging schedule, playing nine games in 15 days without consecutive days off. Despite this, they’ve managed to maintain their winning streak, demonstrating their depth and resilience.
- Key Performances: Mitchell had a stellarfourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 29 points, while Jerome’s second-quarter performance was crucial in keeping the Cavs in the game. Darius Garland’s playmaking was also vital, with nine assists complementing his 14 points.
- Upcoming Games: The Cavs face a tough test against the Golden State Warriors, who are also in excellent form. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest between two of the league’s top teams.
As the Cavs continue their remarkable start, we look forward to seeing how they handle upcoming challenges. Their ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be key to sustaining this momentum. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis on Locked On Cavs.
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Honor Donovan Mitchell was named ‘Cavalier of the Game’ following his impactful performance against the Pelicans. (Fear the Sword)
Milestone Cleveland Cavaliers achieve a historic franchise record in their latest triumph, reflecting their growing prowess. (Sports Illustrated)
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
Discussing the Cavs Record-Setting 9-0 Start The Cavs beat the Pelicans on Wednesday night to move to 9-0 for the first time in franchise history thanks to big moments from Ty Jerome and Jarrett Allen.
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.
Garland back to All-Star form! What’s the biggest difference between last year’s version of Darius Garland and this year’s version of Darius Garland? It starts with his shooting numbers, but he’s taking care of the basketball more too.
