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 vs. Thunder: A Historic NBA Matchup with Championship Implications
The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in what could be the most significant regular-season game of the year. As a Cavs insider, I can’t overstate the importance of this matchup between the two best teams in the NBA.
With records of 31-4 and 35-4 respectively, the Cavs and Thunder are making history. This is the best matchup between Eastern and Western Conference teams this deep into an NBA season. The national spotlight will be on this game, airing on ESPN, and rightfully so.
While the magnitude of this game is undeniable, the Cavs’ approach remains focused on treating it like any other regular season contest. Head coach Kenny Atkinson and the team leadership are working to maintain normalcy despite increased media attention. This strategy has served them well so far, contributing to their impressive record.
The Matchup Breakdown
One key aspect to watch is how the Cavs utilize Evan Mobley. With Thunder center Chet Holmgren out due to injury, Mobley could have a significant impact, especially when playing at the center position. The Cavs have a +19.2 net rating when Mobley plays center, which could be a decisive factor against the Thunder’s smaller lineups.
Defensively, the Cavs’ strategy for guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be crucial. Multiple defenders, including Dean Wade, Max Strus, and potentially Darius Garland, may take turns trying to slow down the Thunder’s offensive engine.
Potential Full-Strength Cavs
There’s a possibility that the Cavs could have their full roster available for the first time this season. Isaac Okoro has been upgraded to questionable, and Sam Merrill is also nearing a return. If both are cleared to play, it will be interesting to see how Atkinson manages the rotation with potentially 11 viable options.
For more insights and a deeper dive into this historic matchup, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
• The importance of national TV exposure for both the Cavs and Thunder
• How the Cavs’ shooting prowess compares to the Thunder’s offensive approach
• The potential impact of a fully healthy Cavs roster on the team’s rotation
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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
Roster Jarrett Allen makes a bold claim about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ current roster, emphasizing the strong potential and depth they possess. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Who would take the last shot in a Game 7 for the Cavs? every NBA team? Discover which Cavalier is trusted with the crucial moment. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Cavs host the Thunder in a heavyweight matchup tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
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?
Don’t Go Chasing Records Now The Cavs are currently on pace to win 73 games. Should that be the goal for the season?
