The Cavs will not have anyone to boo at this game. LeBron didn't come to the Jazz and Boozer left for Chicago.
After a promising start to the season (4-3 including a win over Boston to start the season), reality has set back in for the Cavs. Before their OT win over the Knicks a couple days ago, they had lost 10 straight. Most of those games weren't close. They did put a scare into Miami in their first visit their and they lost at home to the Bulls by just 5, but for the most part it's been blow-out city. They're 0-13 in games decided by 10 points or more. They're the only team that hasn't beaten anyone by at least 10. As a result, their offense is ranked dead last in the league in efficiency at just 100.3 points per 100 possessions.
They're next to last in effective field goal percentage at 46.4% and dead last in offensive rebounding percentage (good for us).
On defense, they give up a high shooting percentage but also rebound at a high rate. They're giving up 190 points per 100 possessions.
I don't take any road games for granted, even against poor teams, but the Jazz need to make quick work of the Cavs tonight and not let them hang around. It's a small sample size, but Cleveland is 2-1 in games decided by 3 points or less.
It's difficult to say what players have played well against the Cavs because neither team looks like it has the past several years. The Jazz haven't won in the Deron Williams era (though they did come close last season without Deron). It's a new era for both teams this season, so let's start it off right.
- Fear The Sword
- Memo is out after tweaking his ankle (non Achilles) per @lockedonsports