Thursday, December 1st, 2016
WHEN: 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: @TheQArena, Cleveland, Ohio
WATCH: @FOXSportsOH, @NBAonTNT
LISTEN: @WMMS 100.7 FM, @wtam1100, La Mega 87.7FM
– Cavaliers (13-3, 1st in Central): Cleveland comes into tonight’s game on the front end of a back-to-back set (L.A. Clippers tonight, at Chicago Bulls on Friday). After their disappointing 118-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, the Cavs will be looking for improvement.
Cleveland’s Eastern Conference leading 13-3 record is tied for the best start in franchise history (2008-09).
The Cavaliers currently have three players averaging 20 or more points per game. Kyrie Irving leads the Cavs, averaging 24.5 points per game. LeBron James trails just behind Irving with 23.5 points per game. Kevin Love’s hot start to the season has him averaging 21.8 points per contest.
The Cavs are 9-1 at The Q this season, so maybe some home cooking will get them back into the win column after playing two games on the road.
Tonight’s game will be the first of two meetings between the Cavs and Clippers (at Los Angeles on March 18th).
* Milestone watch *
LeBron James (6,955) needs just one more assists to move past Bob Cousey (6,955) for sole possession of the 16th position on the NBA’s all-time leader board.
* Cavaliers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *
(PG) Kyrie Irving (6′-3″, 193 lbs)
(SG) J.R. Smith (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
(SF) LeBron James (6′-8″, 250 lbs)
(PF) Kevin Love (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(PF) Tristan Thompson (6′-10″, 238 lbs)
* Cavaliers injury report *
– (F/C) Channing Frye (personal): Questionable
– Clippers (14-5, 2nd in Pacific): Tonight, The Clippers will be looking to get back into the win column after their 127-122 overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets inside The Barclays Center on Tuesday. Despite Chris Paul’s triple-double performance (26 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one block), the Clippers weren’t able to withstand a late Nets rally.
The Clippers are riding a three-game losing streak, but they’ve played well through the early stages of the season. Coming into tonight’s game with the defending champs, the Clippers have an offensive rating of 108.7 (5th in NBA) and a defensive rating of 99.0 (2nd in NBA).
Blake Griffin leads the Clippers in scoring, averaging 21.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
DeAndre Jordan will be cleaning the glass for the Clippers. The former Texas A&M Aggie and 35th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft is averaging a double-double every time he takes the floor (11.0 points and 12.6 rebounds per game).
Chris Paul will be dishing the rock for The Clippers. Coming into tonight’s match-up, Paul is averaging 17.5 points, a team-high 8.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per contest. Every NBA fan knows what Chris Paul brings to the floor. Quick handles, excellent court vision, and team leadership are all elements of his game.
* Clippers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *
(PG) Chris Paul (6′-0″, 175 lbs)
(SG) J.J. Redick (6′-4″, 190 lbs)
(SF) Luc Mbah bah A Moute (6′-8″, 230 lbs)
(PF) Blake Griffin (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(C) DeAndre Jordan (6′-11″, 265 lbs)
* Clippers injury report *
– (PF) Brice Johnson (back): Out
* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, www.espn.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *
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