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.
The Cavs Aren’t Off to a Great Start; They’re a Great Team
Welcome to today’s newsletter, where we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive start to the season. With a record of 17-1, it’s clear that this isn’t just a hot streak—this is who the Cavs are. Let’s break down their recent victory over the Toronto Raptors and explore the key factors contributing to their success.
- Cavs’ Dominance: The Cavaliers have shown they’re more than just a team on a hot streak. With 17 wins out of 18 games, they’ve established themselves as a formidable force in the NBA. Their recent win against the Raptors, with a score of 122-101, further cements their status as a championship contender.
- Game Analysis: Sunday’s game was a testament to the Cavs’ ability to control the court. Despite a physical game and a significant free throw disparity—Toronto shot 34 free throws to Cleveland’s 14—the Cavs maintained their composure and led by double digits for most of the game.
- Ty Jerome’s Impact: Ty Jerome has been a standout player this season, consistently delivering strong performances. With four games scoring 20 or more points in the last three weeks, Jerome is proving to be a reliable asset off the bench. His contributions in scoring, playmaking, and defense have been crucial to the Cavs’ success.
- Defensive Strategy: While the Cavs have been exceptional offensively, their defense has room for improvement. Ranked 19th in defensive ratings over the last 10 games, the team acknowledges the need to tighten up on that end. Sunday’s game showed progress, but there’s still work to be done to reach their full potential.
- Injury Updates: The Cavs are managing injuries with key players like Max Strus and Dean Wade. Strus, recovering from an ankle sprain, is expected to return by the end of December. Wade’s injury seems less severe, with a potential return in the next 10 days. The team is cautious, ensuring players are fully ready before returning to action.
- Looking Ahead: The Cavs face upcoming challenges with games against the Atlanta Hawks and a rematch with the Boston Celtics. These matchups will test their resilience and provide further opportunities to solidify their defensive strategies.
In conclusion, the Cleveland Cavaliers are proving to be a powerhouse this season. With a strong roster, strategic gameplay, and key contributions from players like Ty Jerome, they’re on a path to potentially clinch the NBA championship. Stay tuned for more insights and analysis on Locked On Cavs.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
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
Analysis Ty Jerome’s impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers has been significant, raising questions about how good he really is. His versatile skills and consistent performances suggest he could be a key player for the team. (Fear the Sword)
Replay Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a decisive 122-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors, showcasing their combined offensive prowess and teamwork. (Fear the Sword)
Analysis Rookie Jaylon Tyson is expected to enhance the Cavs’ defense with his dynamic play, potentially filling a crucial gap and contributing significantly to the team’s strategy. (Sports Illustrated)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
The Week Ahead The Cavs will look to get revenge against the Boston Celtics on Sunday in Cleveland, but first have two games with the Atlanta Hawks to take care of.
Ty Jerome’s Career Night Ty Jerome went off against the New Orleans Pelicans with 29 points to set a career high. He continues to show just how vital he’s been to Cleveland’s success.
