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 Dominate Charlotte: Balanced Offense and Team Maturity Shine
The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run, securing a convincing victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. This win extends our streak to 10 games, all by double-digit margins, showcasing the team’s growing dominance and maturity.
One of the most striking aspects of this game was how the Cavs handled what could have been a classic trap game. Coming off a long road trip, it would have been easy to make excuses about fatigue or lack of preparation. Instead, the team demonstrated remarkable focus and professionalism, taking care of business against a lesser opponent.
Darius Garland led the charge with an exceptional performance, outplaying LaMelo Ball in what seemed like a personal challenge. Garland’s efficiency was on full display as he scored 25 points on just 14 shots. This performance comes amidst recent All-Star voting results where Ball led Eastern Conference guards, while Garland didn’t crack the top 10. It’s clear Garland used this as motivation, proving his worth on the court.
The Cavs’ balanced offensive attack was another highlight of the game. Despite Donovan Mitchell scoring only two points in the first half, the team still held a comfortable lead. Mitchell’s ability to explode in the second half, finishing with 19 points, underscores the depth and versatility of our offense. Jarrett Allen contributed significantly with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while Evan Mobley added 17 points.
This balanced scoring approach makes the Cavs incredibly difficult to defend. When one star has an off night, others step up. It’s a luxury that speaks volumes about the team’s chemistry and individual talents.
The Cavs’ dominance isn’t just about winning; it’s about how they’re winning. In 13 of their last 14 victories, they’ve won by 10 or more points. This consistent ability to not just beat but thoroughly outclass opponents is reminiscent of the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors.
As we look ahead to our next challenge against the Oklahoma City Thunder, there’s a palpable sense of excitement. This upcoming matchup is shaping up to be one of the most significant regular-season games in recent NBA history, given both teams’ impressive records.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cavs’ recent performance and upcoming challenges, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
• Detailed analysis of Darius Garland vs. LaMelo Ball matchup
• The impact of Georges Niang and Max Strus off the bench
• Preview of the highly anticipated Cavs vs. Thunder game
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Casting a cursory eye up and down the standings this weekend, I noticed some appearances that made me take a second look. This went for teams for climbing and sliding. So, I’m introducing a potentially recurring feature called “Monday movers”, highlighting teams jostling and jockeying in the standings, likely bound to get more contentious as the season goes on.
San Antonio Spurs
What a thrill it must be for long-suffering Spurs fans to take a glance at the West’s top 10 and see their team there, after so many seasons spent hanging around the bottom of the conference. What a thrill it was for me, too!
It’s not all because of Victor Wembanyama, but the phenom did hit two milestones this weekend: he played his 100th NBA game and he turned 21. His in-game numbers are similarly worth celebrating.
He’s the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21, and the 7th player in the last 45 years to score over 2,200 points (he’s scored 2,278) through his first 100 games. Other than Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty, Wembanyama’s the only other 7-foot center with 385+ assists before turning 21, though their first 100 games. He’s also put up more threes than Steph Curry did, with 225 to Curry’s 200 through their first 100 games.
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 The Cavs are not content with only regular season success. The team understands the importance of playoff performance, emphasizing strategic growth and preparation for the postseason. (Fear the Sword)
Preview As the Cleveland Cavaliers dominate the regular season, the pressing question remains: Will this work in the playoffs? Exploring their current strategy and potential adjustments for postseason success. (Fear the Sword)
Analysis The key to Evan Mobley’s enhanced role in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offense lies in his improved outside shot. His development could be pivotal for the team’s offensive dynamics. (Sports Illustrated)
Milestone The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured their 10th straight win with a victory over the Hornets, marking a significant achievement in their season. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction Among the young players poised for future stardom, several from the Cleveland Cavaliers are predicted to become NBA All-Stars by 2028. Their potential impact on the team’s success is noteworthy. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Cavaliers are set to face the Thunder, who are riding a 15-game winning streak. This matchup promises to be a significant test for Cleveland. Preview the upcoming showdown. (CBS Sports)
Trades The Jimmy Butler vs. Heat saga escalated quickly: Here’s what we know. (ESPN)
Biz Amazon adds Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki to its inaugural studio coverage for the 2025-2026 season. (The Athletic)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Cavs podcasts.
Another Cavalanche! The Cavs pushed their winning streak to 10 games on Sunday night with a win over the Charlotte Hornets. How long can the winning streak go?
West Coast Dominance Cleveland went out west and swept through the Nuggets, Warriors, Lakers and Mavericks, beating them all by 10 or more points. What was so impressive about that road trip?
Dominant December The Cavs did quite a few things well during December. What stood out the most?
