Cleveland Cavaliers (S3): [37-23] (Trade Deadline)

[Phil89]

No problem with giving star players big money to keep them around. Especially with a team like Cleveland.

You've got a nice young core for the next few years and a bunch of veteran role players for the short term. As long as Waiters can avoid further injuries once he returns, you should be a lock for the playoffs.

[Martti.]

Excellent draft! I'd have taken Wiggins, but Parker's a great pick too. And screw the teams that passed on me, make sure I get a lot of minutes to make them pay for it.

[Kenny]

Phil89, I like the balance I have. I managed to draft 3 guys who can contribute right now and that's ultimately what I'm looking for. I'm looking forward to Waiters coming back, just to see how I'm going to distribute the minutes without people getting pissed off.

Martti., I was happy with how the draft went. I was extremely lucky that the CPU decided it was a centre lottery. I'm looking forward to seeing how the picks are going to pan out.. and I won't lie, I'm looking forward to playing some pick-n-pop with your guy.

[Kenny]

Hornets Spoil Halloween for Cavs


Jabari Parker's first game was impressive.

Impressive performances by Eric Gordon and D.J. Augustin helped the Hornets to a 125-113 win over the Cavaliers.

Eric Gordon was unstoppable, scoring 37 points in the season opener. However, D.J. Augustin managed to beat him to the Jordan Performer of the Game award, with 16 points (5-8 FG) and 12 assists. W Selden had a solid debut, with 14 points. Along with their impressive guard play, Anthony Davis (13 points, 14 rebounds), Spencer Hawes (12), Pau Gasol (10) and Clark Samuel (10) all provided great scoring options for the Hornets inside the paint as well.

Despite what the scoreline says, there were some promosing signs for the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving reminded everyone how close he was to the MVP trophy, as he scored 27 points. Jabari Parker (25) and Marcus Smart (18 points) both had great debut games for the Cavaliers, while Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Martti Must also showed a lot of promise in his first game, scoring 9 points in just 10 minutes of play.

NOH@CLE

NOH: 125 (Gordon 37, Augustin 16, Selden 14)
CLE: 113 (Irving 27, Parker 25, Smart 18)

Jordan Performer of the Game: D.J. Augustin 16 points (5-8 FG) 5 rebounds 12 assists 1 steal 1 block

Rebounds

NOH: Davis 14
CLE: Thompson 10

Assists

NOH: Augustin 12
CLE: Irving 6

Cavs Break Losing Streak


Jabari Parker is quickly becoming a star in the league.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ended their losing streak at 11 with a 113-101 win over the Kings.

Jabari Parker followed up his impressive debut performance with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. But it was Kyrie Irving once again who stole the show. He had 26 points, 6 assists and 6 steals. Even though Jabari Parker's getting all the headlines, Marcus Smart and Martti Must are proving to be great prospects as well. Smart recorded 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Must had 13 points off the bench.

All-Star centre DeMarcus Cousins did his best to carry his team. Boogie had an ultra efficient night, scoring 32 points off 15-21 shooting. Tyreke Evans also starred for the Kings, as he was just one rebound off a double-double. He had 24 points and 9 rebounds. Walt Rice (12 points, 9 assists) was one assist from his own double-double, and Dorell Wright scored 10.

CLE@SAC

CLE: 113
Parker 30, Irving 26, Smart 20
SAC: 101
Cousins 32, Evans 24, Rice 12

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 26 points (12-22 FG) 4 rebounds 6 assists 6 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 11
SAC: Evans 9

Assists
CLE: Parker 8
SAC: Rice 9

Redick Leads Duke Domination in LA


J.J. was hot from the moment he stepped onto the court.

An hot shooting J.J. Redick led the Cavaliers to a 115-100 over a Clippers side without Blake Griffin.

Redick's radar was on the entire night, as he nailed 6-9 from beyond the arc and scored 28 points. Jabari Parker again showed why he was the number 1 pick with a great all round performance. He had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. Kyrie had the best stat line of the night though, as he registered 22 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Andrei Kirilenko (11) and Martti Must (10) both had minor contributions off the bench.

For the Clippers, Austin Rivers did most of the scoring, with 29 points on the night. Otto Porter added 19, while DeAndre Jordan (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Eric Bledsoe (14 points, 8 assists) did their best without Blake Griffin.

CLE@LAC

CLE: 115
Redick 28, Parker 25, Irving 22
LAC: 100
Rivers 29, Porter 19, Jordan 16

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 22 points (9-19 FG) 7 rebounds 8 assists 3 steals 3 blocks

Rebounds
CLE: Irving, Thompson 7
LAC: Jordan 13

Assists
CLE: Irving 8
LAC: Bledsoe 8

Overall: 2-1

Injury Update
Dion Waiters - Strained Groin, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)
Carl Landry - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Kenny]

Thunder Storm Home Against the Cavs


Jabari still had a great game.

The Thunder pulled away from the Cavs in the second half and ended up winning 127-110. At half time, the Cavs were behind by only 4 points, but a 34-21 3rd quarter in the Thunder's favour was enough to win the game.

Jabari Parker got his first look at Kevin Durant, who scored a game high 37 points for OKC. Russell Westbrook was also dominant, with 25 points and 8 assists. Serge Ibaka was just one rebound away from a double-double, with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Jeremy Lamb added 13.

It wasn't all bad news for Jabari Parker however. The first overall pick did his share of damage against the reigning MVP, with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks. Marcus Smart and Kyrie Irving did well in the backcourt, scoring 19 each, while Tristan Thompson scored 18 points off 8-9 shooting. J.J. Redick contributed 11 off the bench.

CLE@OKC

OKC: 127
Durant 37, Westbrook 25, Ibaka 15
CLE: 110
Parker 27, Irving 19, Smart 19

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kevin Durant 37 points (17-27 FG) 6 rebounds 1 assist 5 steals 1 block

Rebounds
OKC: Ibaka 9
CLE: Thompson 8

Assists
OKC: Harrison 9
CLE: Irving 8

Suns Burn Cavs in Double Overtime


Kyrie Irving is still ballin'.

The Suns won an epic double overtime encounter against the Cavaliers by 144-134.

Carmelo Anthony came up huge for the Suns, as he had 40 points and 11 rebounds. Louis Williams was also a big time contributor for Phoenix, with 34 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. But it was Toby Robins who won the performer of the game. He had 25 points off 12-17 shooting, while grabbing 11 rebounds as well. Goran Dragic was another player with huge numbers, recording a double-double with 21 points and 13 assists, while Cody Zeller flirted with a triple-double, as he tallied 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

The top scoring honours for the Cavaliers were shared by Jabari Parker and Kyrie Irving, who scored 31 points each. Steven Adams had a big game on offense, scoring 18 points off 8-9 from the field. J.J. Redick scored 16; 5 of which were scored to send the game into double overtime, while Tristan Thompson registered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

CLE@PHX
(2OT)
PHX: 144
Anthony 40, Williams 34, Robins 25
CLE: 134
Irving 31, Parker 31, Adams 18

Jordan Performer of the Game: Toby Robins 25 points (12-17 FG) 11 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals

Rebounds
PHX: Anthony, Robins 11
CLE: Thompson 11

Assists
PHX: Dragic 13
CLE: Smart 10

Cavs Overwhelm Jazz in 4th


Kyrie got the best of Mo.

The Cleveland Cavaliers came up with an incredible come from behind win, as they beat the Jazz 108-100. After trailing by as many as 20 in the 3rd, Cleveland outscored Utah 32-13 in the final quarter.

Jabari Parker led the scoring once again with 24 points, but it was Kyrie Irving who was credited as the most influential player in the win. He had 22 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals on the night. Tristan Thompson recorded another double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds), while rookies Marcus Smart (14 points, 6 rebounds) and Martti Must (11) also gave solid contributions.

For the Jazz, they lived and died off the shooting of C.J. Miles. He top scored with 18 points, but shot a subpar 6-18 from the field. Ryan Harrow added 15 off 7-17 shooting. The Cavaliers got their first look at Aaron Gordon, who added 14 off a perfect 7-7. Mo Williams also added 14, while Derrick Favors (11 points, 10 rebounds) registered a double-double.

CLE@UTA

CLE: 108 (Parker 24, Irving 22, Thompson 15)
UTA: 100 (Miles 18, Harrow 15, Gordon 14)

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 22 points (9-16 FG) 5 rebounds 9 assists 4 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 11
UTA: Favors 10

Assists
CLE: Irving 9
UTA: Mo. Williams 6

Overall: 3-3

Injury Update
Dion Waiters - Strained Groin, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)
Carl Landry - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Martti.]

Wow, Jabari's reminding me another Cavaliers top pick from 11 years ago with his stats. Also glad my guy's doing well, in double-figures quite often. Sixth man of the year maybe?

[Lamrock]

You're roster is pretty loaded, but you may want to consider dealing for a rim protector - how is Adams doing?

[Phil89]

Tough start to the season, but the form of Parker and Irving is a big positive. Waiters should be a big help once he returns.

Parker is living up to his first overall pick status nicely. I'm calling ROTY right now

[Kenny]

Martti., I was thinking that myself. I'm hoping he can continue that trajectory. As for your guy, he could be a great 6-man and I'd consider using him more full time in that role if he continues his form (and if J.J. falls off)

Lamrock, Adams does a pretty good job at protecting the rim and rebounding. I think the biggest problem in my opinion is perimeter defense. I constantly get lit up by guys like Eric Gordon, Monta Ellis and Joe Johnson. Hence why I tried giving more time to a guy like Thabo Sefolosha last season.

Phil89, unless he falls off majorly or gets injured, I dare say Parker is a lock for ROY this season (at least so far). In fact, when it comes to scoring, I have 3 of the top 5 rookies at the moment. I know it's not just about that, but it does help.

[Kenny]

Hornets Sweep Cavs


Martti Must was ridiculous off the bench.

The New Orleans Hornets completed the regular season sweep over the Cavaliers with a 113-92 win. The Cavaliers capitulated in the 3rd, giving up a 3 point half time lead and losing the quarter 36-17.

Jordan Crawford gave the Hornets the much needed spark, scoring 24 points off the bench. Eric Gordon was dangerous once again, adding 20, while Anthony Davis (18 points, 8 rebounds) and Wayne Selden (13 points) also contributed to the blowout.

If there was one positive from the night, it was the emergence of Martti Must. The Estonian rookie was 1 rebound away from a double-double, putting up an incredible 29 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. In contrast, Jabari Parker had his first bad game of the season, scoring only 6 points off 2-10 shooting.

Aside from Must, Cleveland had only two scorers in double figures. Kyrie Irving was slightly below par, with 16 points and 8 assists, while Marcus Smart added 13.

CLE@NOH

NOH: 113
Crawford 24, Gordon 20, Davis 18
CLE: 92
Must 29, Irving 16, Smart 13

Jordan Performer of the Game: Jordan Crawford 24 points (10-18 FG) 5 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals

Rebounds
NOH: Samuel 10
CLE: Must 9

Assists
NOH: Augustin 8
CLE: Irving 8

Cavaliers Sweep Jazz


Must is shaping up as a go-to-guy off the bench.

After their 21 points loss to the Hornets, the Cavaliers continued to perplex NBA pundits with a 110-92 win over the Jazz.

Jabari Parker was back to his best form, scoring 30 points. But it was Kyrie Irving with the best game for the Cavaliers. The All-Star point guard was involved in everything, filling up the stat sheet with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 steals and 2 blocks. Martti Must burned another team that overlooked him the draft, dropping 21 points on the Jazz, while Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

For the Jazz, Jerian Grant was their best performer, scoring 15 points off 7-10 shooting. Ryan Harrow on the otherhand had an inefficient night, scoring 14 points off 7-19 shooting. Mo Williams added 13 off the bench, while Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles contributed 12 points each. Al Jefferson had one of his quieter games, with 10 points.

UTA@CLE

CLE : 110
Parker 30, Irving 22, Must 21
UTA: 92
Grant 15, Harrow 14, Mo. Williams 13

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 22 points (8-19 FG) 4 rebounds 10 assists 6 steals 2 blocks

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 12
UTA: Favors 8

Assists
CLE: Irving 10
UTA: Harrow 5

Overall: 4-4

Injury Update
Dion Waiters - Strained Groin, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)

[Kenny]

Cavs Lose in Dying Seconds


Trusty Thompson came up big.

Deron Williams hit two clutch free throws to give the Brooklyn Nets a 105-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was sent to the charity stripe after he was fouled on a driving play by Steven Adams, with 0.6 seconds left on the clock. Martti Must hit a three pointer at the end of the game, but it was waved off, as it was released after the buzzer.

Williams was the performer of the game, registering a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists.

The Nets highest scorer was the NBA's highest paid man. Joe Johnson proved why he's worthy of such a paycheck, as he put up 29 points, which included 4-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Although the Nets offense was dominated by Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks (11) and Brook Lopez (10) also had solid contributions.

With Jabari Parker struggling (9 points off 4-15), Cleveland had to rely more on Tristan Thompson; and he didn't disappoint. Thompson was the top scorer for the Cavs, tallying 29 points off an outstanding 13-17 from the field. Kyrie Irving also had a strong night, with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, while Martti Must continued to impress, scoring 20 off the bench.

CLE@BKN

BKN: 105
Johnson 29, Williams 27, Brooks 11
CLE: 103
Thompson 29, Irving 20, Must 20

Jordan Performer of the Game: Deron Williams 27 points (12-24 FG) 4 rebounds 10 assists

Rebounds
BKN: Randle 13
CLE: Thompson 7

Assists
BKN: Williams 10
CLE: Smart 8

Cavs Hold Off Wizards


A great player doesn't stay down for long.

Jabari Parker shrugged off his poor game against the Nets to be the performer of the game. He proved to be too much for Jan Vesely to handle, scoring 26 points off 12-16 shooting. Martti Must made the most of his first career start, scoring 22 points. Kyrie Irving (17 points, 7 assists) seemed willing to let Parker and Must dismantle the Wizards from the wing, while Tristan Thompson registered another double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds). J.J. Redick returned to the lineup and iced the game from the free throw line. He ended up with 13 points.

For the Wizards, Bradley Beal (29) and John Wall (28 points, 12 assists) did their best to try and carry the Wizards. Jan Vesely scored 14 points, but it wasn't the most convincing performance. He was constantly out-matched by Jabari Parker and Martti Must, and missed all four of his three point attempts. Nerlens Noel added 11 points.

WAS@CLE

CLE: 112
Parker 26, Must 22, Irving 17
WAS: 108
Beal 29, Wall 28, Vesely 14

Jordan Performer of the Game: Jabari Parker 26 points (12-16 FG) 4 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 11
WAS: Seraphin 7

Assists
CLE: Irving 7
WAS: Wall 12

Overall: 5-5

Injury Update
Dion Waiters - Strained Groin, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Tristan Thompson - Strained Hamstring, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)

[Kenny]

10 Game Player Review

The Cavaliers are once again struggling to get out of the middle of the pack. However, with the amount of talent the roster has, it may just be a matter of time before the team clicks.

Kyrie Irving
10 games (10 starts)
22.2ppg 4.1rpg 7.7apg .549 FG%

While most of the talk has been about Jabari Parker, Kyrie has been quietly chipping away at another MVP caliber season. One of the reasons why he has flown a little under the radar has been because he hasn't been as heavily relied upon to be the team's playmaker. He has a lot more opportunities to work off the ball and get himself open shots.

Martti Must
10 games (1 start)
14.4ppg 3.3rpg 2.4apg .440 3pt%

What a story Martti Must has been so far. He dropped to the 19th selection in the draft and has since played with a chip on his shoulder. A couple of big performances earned him a start at shooting guard over Marcus Smart and so far, it looks like he could keep the spot - at least until we see what happens with Dion Waiters.

Jabari Parker
10 games (10 starts)
23.3ppg 4.1rpg 3.3apg 1.2bpg .568 FG%

Jabari's numbers in the first five games of his career suggested he could win a rare Rookie of the Year/MVP double. Since then, he's had a couple of down games, but he still remains to be the best rookie of the bunch so far. He's generally at his best when he's attacking the basket and shooting from midrange. His three point shooting percentage isn't great (just over 30%), but that's something he can definitely improve down the line.

Tristan Thompson
10 games (10 starts)
12.9ppg 9.4rpg 1.3bpg .670 FG %

Thompson is as reliable as they come in the front court. On most nights, you can put him down for a modest double-double, while also adding a shot changing presense in the middle. He probably won't get mentioned in the All-Star ballot, but there's not a lot he does wrong on the court.

Steven Adams
10 games (10 starts)
6.1ppg 5.9rpg 1.4bpg .778 FG%

As long as he's with the Cavs, I think this is generally what the numbers are going to look like for Steven Adams. He's a much improved player on offense, and he can even hit a few midrange shots now. But he's probably going to be pidgeonholed into a role that mainly sees him be a guy who sets screens and be a defensive force. He's a pretty good rebounder too when Tristan Thompson isn't in the game.

Marcus Smart
10 games (9 starts)
11.8ppg 3.6rpg 4.6apg 0.8bpg .450 FG% .400 FT%

Smart was a pretty good replacement for Dion Waiters, before Martti Must took over the reigns. Although he plays more like a point guard, he can hold the two down well, and provides the Cavs a good rebounder for his position. He isn't a good shooter, and his free throw numbers are diabolical, but he has his moments on the offensive end.

J.J. Redick
9 games
10.2ppg 2.1apg 1spg .421 3pt%

After having his worst season as a pro from beyond the arc, Redick is back to having the numbers you'd expect from him at three point range. But despite this great shooting performance, his spot as the team's 6-man could be under siege. The Cavs may be struggling at the moment, but they're a team loaded with talent, particularly when it comes to guards. Redick might not see the minutes he has received in the past two seasons, but he's still a big part of what Cleveland are trying to achieve.

Andrei Kirilenko
10 games
5.5ppg 2.2rpg 1.4apg

With Thompson getting more minutes, Kirilenko is seeing less game time. He's still an effective sub though. Need I harp on again about the guy's versatility?

Timofey Mozgov
9 games
4.1ppg 3rpg 1bpg .867 FG%

The underappreciated Timofey Mozgov is quietly having a pretty good season off the bench. The Cavaliers don't lose much when he subs on for Steven Adams. He's one of the unsung heroes of the roster really. He rebounds well, he blocks shots, and he barely misses when he takes his own shots (although, to be fair, he generally gets dunks, layups and tip ins). The Cavaliers just seem to like Steven Adams just a little bit more.

Chuck Hayes
6 games
2.2ppg 1.2rpg .429 FG% .250 FT%

Don't tell Chuck Hayes that garbage time doesn't matter. He earned a rotation spot over Timofey Mozgov for a game because of the effort he showed during a blowout. But the coaching staff of the Cavs quickly learned that even though Hayes provides a lot of effort off the bench, his limitations, both physically and skill-wise, can hinder the team as much as it can help. Still, it's fun to see him go to the free throw line.

Jameer Nelson
5 games
1.2ppg 0.4apg .333 FG%

Jameer Nelson went from being a starter on the league's worst team last season, to being the 12th man on the .500 Cavaliers. And he's not happy. Nelson is towards the end of a huge depth chart when it comes to guards; even when Dion Waiters is injured. He may get some playing time if Kyrie Irving or Marcus Smart get injured, but aside from that, he will have to be content with being on the end of the bench.

Thabo Sefolosha
5 games
0.2rpg 0.4apg

Like Jameer Nelson, a lot has changed for Thabo Sefolosha since last season. In the Playoffs, he was the team's starting shooting guard when Dion Waiters was injured. Since then, the Cavs have drafted Marcus Smart, who has had a solid rookie season. Now, Thabo gets minutes when the Cavaliers are looking to make a defensive play. This isn't likely to change, unless there's a catastrophic number of injuries to the guards in the roster.

Carl Landry
2 games
0.5mpg

Landry has played a total of one minute in his two games this season and hasn't registered a stat in any of the major categories. This has been mainly because of a minor injury he had, plus the solid play of Tristan Thompson and Andrei Kirilenko. Don't be surprised if Landry asks for a trade.

Dion Waiters
Yet to play

We haven't seen Dion Waiters yet this season, but hopefully that will change soon.

[Martti.]

20+ in 4 straight games! Damn, spoke too soon, Parker may not be ROY after all.

[Kenny]

Martti., you're definitely a darkhorse in the ROY race. Who knows; a long term injury to Jabari Parker could even see you as the favourite.

[Kenny]

5 Simmed Games

TOR@CLE

CLE: 95
Irving 16, Smart 15, Parker 14
TOR: 77
Morris 17, DeRozan 15, Lowry 13

Jordan Performer of the Game: Marcus Smart 15 points (6-9 FG) 1 rebound 6 assists 3 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 9
TOR: Morris, Williams 9

Assists
CLE: Irving 8
TOR: Lowry 5

CLE@WAS

WAS: 90
Seraphin 22, Beal 19, Wall 18
CLE: 81
Irving 31, Smart 15, Thompson 10

Jordan Performer of the Game: John Wall 18 points (8-14 FG) 5 rebounds 8 assists 1 steal

Rebounds
WAS: Noel 10
CLE: Thompson 10

Assists
WAS: Wall 8
CLE: Irving 6

BOS@CLE

BOS: 101
Shaw 26, McGary 22, Rondo 16
CLE: 99
Irving 24, Thompson 24, Parker 15

Jordan Performer of the Game: Chuck Shaw 26 points (10-19 FG) 10 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal 1 block

Rebounds
BOS: McGary 11
CLE: Adams 12

Assists
BOS: Rondo 7
CLE: Smart 9

CLE@NYK

CLE: 112
Irving 33, Waiters 17, Adams 16
NYK: 79
Fields 18, Thornton 17, Shumpert 9

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 33 points (14-27 FG) 9 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Must 10
NYK: Brown 8

Assists
CLE: Smart 6
NYK: Harris, Pressey, Shumpert 3

Note: Dion Waiters played his first game back from injury. Tristan Thompson was rested.

DEN@CLE

CLE: 117
Irving 32, Smart 23, Parker 21
DEN: 91
McGee 22, Lawson 19, Gallinari 18

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 32 points (13-19 FG) 9 rebounds 7 assists 4 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Irving 9
DEN: Singleton 8

Assists
CLE: Irving 7
DEN: Lawson 7

Note: Tristan Thompson sat again with a hamstring strain.

Overall: 8-7

Injury Update
Tristan Thompson - Strained Hamstring, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)
Dion Waiters - Twisted Ankle, 1-2 weeks (Hurt)

[Kenny]

Kings Hold Off Cavaliers


The matchup between Irving and Thomas was a highlight.

The team with the best record in the West, the Sacramento Kings, avoided a season sweep by the Cavs by winning game two 103-100.

Walt Rice (34) and Isaiah Thomas (26) both had big performances from the backcourt. DeMarcus Cousins had one of his quieter games, but was a great complement for Rice and Thomas, with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cavaliers had 5 double figure scorers, led by Kyrie Irving, who scored 32. Martti Must was inefficient (6-16), but still managed 15 points and 5 rebounds. Tristan Thompson courageously played through his injury and scored 12 points, while J.J. Redick and Jabari Parker (7 rebounds, 8 assists) scored 10 each.

SAC@CLE

SAC: 103
Rice 34, Thomas 26, Cousins 11
CLE: 100
Irving 32, Must 15, Thompson 12

Jordan Performer of the Game: Walt Rice 34 points (14-22 FG) 7 rebounds 4 assists 1 steal 1 block

Rebounds
SAC: Cousins 10
CLE: Adams, Parker 7

Assists
SAC: Thomas 7
CLE: Parker 8

Cavaliers Survive Fourth Quarter Mauling


Irving was a major headache for Conley.

The Cavaliers held on for a 109-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies managed to claw their way back in the 4th, outscoring the Cavs 35-24, but the deficit proved to be too much.

Kyrie Irving (29) and Jabari Parker (28) both did the bulk of the Cavaliers scoring, while Martti Must and Marcus Smart scored 13 each.

The Memphis resurgence in the fourth was led by Rudy Gay, who was huge with 40 points and 8 rebounds. Ed Davis (12 points, 13 rebounds) registered a double-double, while Ian Miller scored 11. Rodney Stuckey, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley scored 10 points each.

CLE@MEM

CLE: 109
Irving 29, Parker 28, Must 13
MEM: 101
Gay 40, Davis 12, Miller 11

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 29 points (11-17 FG) 5 rebounds 11 assists 4 steals 1 block

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 11
MEM: Davis 13

Assists
CLE: Irving 11
MEM: Conley 6

Overall: 9-8

Injury Update
Jabari Parker - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Dion Waiters - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-Day (Hurt)
Tristan Thompson - Strained Hamstring, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Kenny]

November 2015 Summary

Although they hired a new coach and got some highly talented first round picks, November was a reminder that it's going to take time for the Cavaliers to become a contending team.

The long suffering fans saw glimpses of what could be with this team, as Kyrie Irving, Jabari Parker, and Martti Must have all put in huge performances at one point or another. But almost instantly, they were also reminded of the team's inconsistency.

Dion Waiters made his long awaited comeback, and he showed what the Cavaliers have missed during his stint on the sidelines. Unfortunately after just two games, he reinjured his ankle. Luckily, the prognosis isn't as grim as it was last season.

At the beginning of December, The Cavaliers sit in the middle of the pack once again. Can they climb their way up the ladder and end 2015 with a bang?

Standings

East

Bucks 11-5
Bulls 9-5
Heat 9-5
Knicks 9-6
Pacers 9-7
Raptors 9-7
Bobcats 8-7
Cavaliers 9-8
---
Hawks 7-7
Nets 7-9
Magic 6-8
76ers 6-9
Pistons 5-9
Celtics 6-11
Wizards 5-10

West

Suns 12-3
Timberwolves 12-3
Kings 13-4
Thunder 11-6
Trail Blazers 11-6
Spurs 10-7
Hornets 8-7
Jazz 8-9
---
Nuggets 7-9
Mavericks 7-9
Lakers 6-9
Rockets 4-10
Clippers 4-12
Grizzlies 2-12
Warriors 2-13

Monthly Awards

Player

East: [MIA] LeBron James
West: [OKC] Kevin Durant

Rookie

East: [ATL] Glenn Robinson III
West: [OKC] Andrew Harrison

League Leaders

Points

[OKC] Kevin Durant 26.4
[CHI] Derrick Rose 25.2
[PHX] Lou Williams 25.1
[CLE] Kyrie Irving 24.6
[MIA] LeBron James 24.4

Rebounds

[NOH] Anthony Davis 11.7
[DAL] Anthony Randolph 11.4
[MIN] Kevin Love 10.9
[ATL] Al Horford 10.6
[SAC] DeMarcus Cousins 10.1

Assists

[MIL] Brandon Jennings 10.1
[DET] Chris Paul 9.4
[MIN] Ricky Rubio 8.6
[BKN] Deron Williams 8.6
[CHA] Kemba Walker 8.5

Steals

[CLE] Kyrie Irving 3.9
[MIL] Brandon Jennings 2.9
[LAL] Rodrigue Beaubois 2.6
[DET] Chris Paul 2.5
[LAC] Eric Bledsoe 2.5

Blocks

[LAL] Robin Lopez 2.6
[NOH] Anthony Davis 2.5
[DEN] JaVale McGee 2.3
[LAC] DeAndre Jordan 2.1
[MIL] Dwight Howard 1.9

PER

[OKC] Kevin Durant 28.7
[NYK] Marcus Thornton 27.2
[PHI] Evan Turner 25.5
[POR] Damian Lillard 25.4
[MIA] LeBron James 25.3

Transactions

Signings

Clippers: Damion James - 1yr/1.69M
Hawks: David West - 1yr/2.52M
Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson 1yr/2.15M

Extensions

76ers: Thaddeus Young - 4yr/32.56M
Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - 4yr/38.55M
Clippers: Austin Rivers - 4r/18.14M
Grizzlies: Mike Conley - 5yr/67.62M
Hornets: Eric Gordon - 5yr/98.23M
Knicks: Raymond Felton - 3yr/16.72M
Lakers: Ryan Anderson -3yr/17.58M
Lakers: Tyler Zeller - 5yr/25.53M
Nets: Deron Williams - 4yr/71.85M
Nets: Joe Johnson - 1yr/5.73M
Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari - 5yr/69.42M
Pistons: Harrison Barnes 5yr/66.83M
Pistons: Andre Drummond - 5yr/83.66M
Rockets: Terrence Jones - 3yr/8.18M
Rockets: Donatas Motiejunas - 4yr/7.62M
Suns: Goran Dragic - 5yr/32.25M
Suns: Kendall Marshall - 3yr/15.22M
Thunder: Cole Aldrich - 2yr/5.18M
Thunder: Perry Jones - 4yr/13.53M
Trail Blazers: Nicolas Batum - 5yr/58.09M
Trail Blazers: Jeff Green - 4yr/34.97M
Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard - 4yr/62.97M
Wizards: Bradley Beal - 5yr/85.65M

Trades

Pistons receive: Glen Davis, '17 2nd round pick
Kings receive: Ekpe Udoh

Celtics receive: '17 1st round pick, Louie Ellis
Hawks receive: Doron Lamb, '17 2nd round pick

76ers receive: Norris Cole, '16 2nd round pick
Heat receive: Ishmael Smith

Raptors receive: Jodie Meeks
Hornets receive: Andrea Bargnani, '16 2nd round pick

Pacers receive: Spencer Hawes
Hornets receive: Brandan Wright, Jason Richardson

EDIT:

First All-Star Ballot Results: Kyrie Leads East Voting Amongst Guards

Kyrie Irving is on course for another All-Star start with the Eastern All-Stars. He currently leads all guards in the NBA for votes, and is third overall behind LeBron James (862,716) and Kevin Durant (811,862).

Irving wasn't the only Cavalier to receive a substantial amount of votes. Rookie Jabari Parker is ranked 5th amongst forwards in the Eastern Conference, while Tristan Thompson is 10th.

East

Guards

[CLE] Kyrie Irving 681,348
[DET] Chris Paul 667,995
[MIL] Brandon Jennings 608,247
[CHI] Derrick Rose 520,691
[WAS] John Wall 515,083
[BKN] Deron Williams 506,340
[BOS] Rajon Rondo 463,658
[CHA] Kemba Walker 422,102
[PHI] Jrue Holiday 402,519
[MIA] Dwyane Wade 399,847

Forwards

[MIA] LeBron James 862,716
[ATL] Josh Smith 424,107
[BOS] Chuck Shaw 417,973
[PHI] Evan Turner 351,509
[CLE] Jabari Parker 323,463
[CHI] Luol Deng 300,737
[CHA] Amar'e Stoudemire 276,332
[DET] Harrison Barnes 245,755
[ORL] Andrew Wiggins 239,086
[CLE] Tristan Thompson 219,128

Centres

[MIL] Dwight Howard 487,859
[PHI] Andrew Bynum 331,469
[ATL] Al Horford 310,910
[BKN] Brook Lopez 297,667
[DET] Greg Monroe 280,131
[TOR] Jonas Valanciunas 251,522
[IND] Roy Hibbert 240,092
[NYK] Marcin Gortat 188,611
[CHA] Nikola Pekovic 175,892
[CHI] Joakim Noah 173,812

West

Guards

[OKC] Russell Westbrook 594,386
[SAC] Tyreke Evans 540,180
[HOU] James Harden 540,175
[POR] Damian Lillard 539,428
[SAC] Walt Rice 476,389
[NOH] Eric Gordon 473,484
[MIN] Ricky Rubio 454,187
[GSW] Stephen Curry 441,903
[UTA] Gordon Hayward 430,440
[POR] Andre Iguodala 378,810

Forwards

[OKC] Kevin Durant 811,862
[MIN] Kevin Love 457,800
[LAC] Blake Griffin 435,469
[MEM] Rudy Gay 435,323
[POR] LaMarcus Aldridge 428,104
[DEN] Danillo Gallinari 427,460
[UTA] Derrick Favors 423,401
[NOH] Anthony Davis 418,425
[PHX] Carmelo Anthony 403,457
[DAL] Anthony Randolph 389,799

Centres

[SAC] DeMarcus Cousins 515,978
[UTA] Al Jefferson 348,230
[DEN] JaVale McGee 280,824
[MIN] Chris Bosh 279,714
[PHX] Cody Zeller 268,127
[MEM] Marc Gasol 197,181
[NOH] Brandan Wright 180,057
[LAC] DeAndre Jordan 177,338
[HOU] J.J. Hickson 160,914
[LAL] Robin Lopez 135,480

[Kenny]

Mavs Edge Out Cavs


AK was productive.

The short-handed Cavaliers came close against the Mavericks, losing 101-98. Without Tristan Thompson and Jabari Parker, the Cavaliers got within one point of the Dallas Mavericks in the dying seconds, thanks to a Kyrie Irving 3. However, Dirk Nowitzki was sent to the line sunk both free throws with 0.3 left on the clock.

Anthony Randolph and O.J. Mayo led the way for the Mavericks, scoring 24 each. Former Cavalier Paul Pierce had a point to prove against his old team, and his statement was made with 17 points. Dirk Nowitzki added 14.

For the Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving was the top scorer with 23 points. Andrei Kirilenko made the most of his additional minutes, as he was two assists away from a double-double with 17 points and 8 assists. J.J. Redick added 12 off the bench,while Martti Must scored 10.

CLE@DAL

DAL: 101
Mayo 24, Randolph 24, Pierce 17
CLE: 98
Irving 23, Kirilenko 17, Redick 12

Jordan Performer of the Game: O.J. Mayo 24 points (11-17 FG) 7 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals

Rebounds
DAL: Randolph 13
CLE: Adams 11

Assists
DAL: Collison 9
CLE: Kirilenko 8

Bucks Outlast Cavs


Carl Landry may have earned more playing time.

The Milwaukee Bucks pulled away in the 4th quarter to win 107-99 against the Cavaliers.

Monta Ellis was an absolute menace off the bench, coming up with 31 points and 8 assists to be the Bucks best player. Brandon Jennings also caused Cleveland a lot of problems, with 24 points and 9 assists. Larry Sanders (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Dwight Howard (10 points, 9 rebounds) were both solid in the paint, while Caron Butler added 10.

Kyrie Irving led the short-handed Cavs once again, scoring 18 points. Andrei Kirilenko again made the most of his starting promotion, scoring 16 points. Carl Landry on the other hand looked happy just to be playing. He scored 15 points and reminded Kevin McHale that he's a viable option. Martti Must (5-15 FG) had a game he'd rather forget, but still scored 13 points. J.J. Redick and Marcus Smart (12 assists) scored 11 each.

MIL@CLE

MIL: 107
Ellis 31, Jennings 24, Sanders 16
CLE: 99
Irving 18, Kirilenko 16, Landry 15

Jordan Performer of the Game: Monta Ellis 31 points (14-22 FG) 2 rebounds 8 assists

Rebounds
MIL: Ilyasova 10
CLE: Adams 6

Assists
MIL: Jennings 9
CLE: Smart 12

Warriors Lose 15th Straight Against Cavs


Jabari led the block party.

The Cavaliers added to the Warriors miserable season, as they came away with a 117-100 win.

After being demoted to the bench to make way for Jabari Parker, Martti Must top scored for the Cavaliers. His 22 points included 6 made threes from 11 attempts. Kyrie Irving once again had a great all round game, filling up the stat sheet with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Jabari Parker also had a big night statisically. He only scored 16 points, but he registered his first career double-double with 10 assists, as well as reaching a career high in blocks (5). J.J. Redick also provided a spark off the bench, scoring 15, while Andrei Kirilenko (12), Steven Adams (11), Marcus Smart (11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Carl Landry (10) all contributed to the winning cause.

The Warriors were led by Andray Blatche, who scored 19 points. Stephen Curry shot efficiently for his 17 points, but turned the ball over 8 times. David Lee (16 points, 13 rebounds) recorded his usual double-double, while Nate Robinson was 2 assists away from a triple-double, with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Kyle Singler added 13 points.

GSW@CLE

CLE: 117
Must 22, Irving 18, Parker 16
GSW: 100
Blatche 19, Curry 17, Lee 16

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 18 points (7-13 FG) 2 rebounds 8 assists 5 steals 2 blocks

Rebounds
CLE: Adams, Kirilenko, Smart 6
GSW: Lee 13

Assists
CLE: Parker 10
GSW: Curry, Robinson 8

Overall: 10-10

[Kenny]

5 Simmed Games

DET@CLE

CLE: 99
Irving 38, Smart 17, Parker 10
DET: 89
Knight 25, Barnes 22, Paul 13

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 38 points (14-17 FG) 3 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Adams, Thompson 9
DET: Barnes 12

Assists
CLE: Must 7
DET: Baker 7

CLE@MIL

MIL: 115
Jennings 33, Howard 28, Butler 13
CLE: 93
Waiters 18, Irving 13, Thompson 11

Jordan Performer of the Game: Brandon Jennings 33 points (12-23 FG) 5 rebounds 7 assists 2 steals 1 block

Rebounds
MIL: Howard 14
CLE: Must 8

Assists
MIL: Jennings 7
CLE: Irving 7

CLE@BKN

BKN: 105
Lopez 26, Johnson 17, Arthur 12
CLE: 88
Irving 17, Parker 11, Thompson 10

Jordan Performer of the Game: Joe Johnson 17 points (6-12 FG) 8 rebounds 9 assists 2 steals

Rebounds
BKN: Randle 13
CLE: Thompson 6

Assists
BKN: Johnson 9
CLE: Irving 6

OKC@CLE

CLE: 107
Irving 17, Waiters 16, Parker 15
OKC: 93
Durant 32, Westbrook 14, Martin 11

Jordan Performer of the Game: Dion Waiters 16 points (6-12 FG) 8 rebounds 4 assists

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 9
OKC: Durant 10

Assists
CLE: Irving 10
OKC: Westbrook 7

CLE@PHI

CLE: 116
Irving 37, Parker 18, Waiters 18
PHI: 105
Bynum 23, Cole 18, Young 16

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 37 points (12-18 FG) 1 rebound 4 assists 1 steal

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 11
PHI: Bynum 14

Assists
CLE: Waiters 9
PHI: Ariza 6

Overall: 13-12

[Kenny]

Cleveland Out-Pace Indiana in Fourth


Dion is back to his best.

The Cavaliers closed out the Pacers in the fourth quarter to win 124-114.

Dion Waiters had his best game back from his run of injuries, as he scored 31 points. J.J. Redick also had a big night, scoring 25 points off the bench. With Waiters and Redick in great form, Kyrie Irving managed to get his 20 points and 9 assists with little fuss. Jabari Parker added 18 points, while Tristan Thompson (11 points, 8 rebounds) was reliable on both ends once again.

The Cavaliers had a lot of trouble stopping Danny Granger and Paul George. Both players were productive for the Pacers, as they scored 26 and 23 respectively. George Hill also proved to be a handful at the point, recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists. Roy Hibbert added 14, but was kept off the glass rather effectively, as he grabbed just 2 rebounds for the entire game.

IND@CLE

CLE: 124
Waiters 31, Redick 25, Irving 20
IND: 114
Granger 26, George 23, Hill 19

Jordan Performer of the Game: Dion Waiters 31 points (14-20 FG) 4 rebounds 2 assists

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 9
IND: George 11

Assists
CLE: Irving 9
IND: Hill 11

Cavaliers Keep Rolling Against the Lakers


"Once a shooter, always a shooter." - Steve Kerr

The Cavaliers continued their winning ways with a 116-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dion Waiters once again reminded the Cavs fans what they were missing when he was injured, scoring 24 points. J.J. Redick also scorched the Lakers. His 23 points included 5-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Jabari Parker (20) added his points rather effortlessly, while Kyrie Irving (16 points, 9 assists) and Martti Must (15) were also effective on the offensive end.

The Cavaliers great night on offense luckily combatted the vintage performance of Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba proved that he's still the driving force behind Lakers basketball, filling up the stat sheet with 32 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals and a block. He had great help by new recruit Michael Beasley, who scored 26 points off 11-19 shooting. Wesley Matthews and Rodrigue Beaubois both added 14 points each.

The Lakers held a one point lead at the end of the third, but the Cavaliers managed to win the fourth quarter 33-22.

LAL@CLE

CLE: 116
Waiters 24, Redick 23, Parker 20
LAL: 106
Bryant 32, Beasley 26, Beaubois 14

Jordan Performer of the Game: J.J. Redick 23 points (8-16 FG) 3 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals 1 block

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 11
LAL: McAdoo 13

Assists
CLE: Irving 9
LAL: Bryant 10

Cavs Blowout Celtics in Boston


Carl Landry has been a real factor in Cleveland's streak.

The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to five after a 118-87 demolition of the Boston Celtics.

Cleveland were led by Kyrie Irving (7 assists) and Carl Landry, who both scored 22 points each. Despite Landry's big night, Tristan Thompson's starting position remains safe, as he was equally as effective with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Martti Must played the 6th man role with J.J. Redick out injured, and once again he excelled with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Jabari Parker added 13, while Dion Waiters had one of the most modest almost-five-by-fives you'll see. He shot the ball poorly (5-13), but managed a stat line of 11 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

While the Cavaliers enjoyed a healthy list of players in double figures, the Boston Celtics only had one; and he's a former Cavalier. Chuck Shaw was the only player who arrived offensively for the Celtics, as he scored 24 points. Mitch McGary (9 points, 8 rebounds) and Xavier Henry (8) were the closest the rest of the Celtics came to double digits.

CLE@BOS

CLE: 118
Irving 22, Landry 22, Thompson 21
BOS: 87
Shaw 24, McGary 9, Henry 8

Jordan Performer of the Game: Dion Waiters 11 points (5-13 FG) 6 rebounds 12 assists 3 steals 3 blocks

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 8
BOS: McGary 8

Assists
CLE: Waiters 12
BOS: Rondo 8

Overall: 16-12

Injury Update
J.J. Redick - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Andrei Kirilenko - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Kenny]

Cavaliers Fly Past Hawks in OT


Steven Adams came up with some big plays.

The Cavaliers maintained their winning ways, coming up with a 122-115 overtime win against the Hawks.

Dion Waiters (29 points, 8 rebounds) and Jabari Parker (26 points) both had big scoring games for the Cavaliers, but arguably the most influential player of the game was Steven Adams. The Kiwi centre not only scored the game tying basket, but came up with the game saving block on Devin Harris at the basket. Adams had 16 points, 11 assists and 4 blocks. Marcus Smart filled up the sheet off the bench, with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and a block, while Carl Landry, Tristan Thompson (7 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (8 rebounds, 12 assists) scored 10 each.

For the Hawks, Doron Lamb was the go-to-guy, as he scored 33 points. Jeff Teague had a huge game as well, getting a double-double of 18 points and 13 assists. Glenn Robinson III showed why he's one of the top rookies of the class, with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Al Horford tallied 15 points and 7 rebounds.

ATL@CLE
(OT)
CLE: 122
Waiters 29, Parker 26, Adams 16
ATL: 115
Lamb 33, Teague 18, Robinson 17

Jordan Performer of the Game: Dion Waiters 29 points (13-22 FG) 8 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal 1 block

Rebounds
CLE: Adams 11
ATL: Horford, Robinson 7

Assists
CLE: Irving 12
ATL: Teague 13

Cavs Complete Hawks Double


Kyrie had a better game.

The Cavaliers almost squandered a 13 point lead, but they managed to win their second game of their back-to-back against the Hawks 104-101.

Jabari Parker had another great game against the Hawks, top scoring with 23 points, while Kyrie Irving shook off his poor shooting the night before and scored 20 points. He also tallied 14 assists on the night. Dion Waiters (13 points, 7 assists) almost registered his own double-double, while Carl Landry (12) and Marcus Smart (11) both had solid games off the bench.

Doron Lamb was once again the top scorer of the Hawks, albeit at a less efficient rate than the game before. He scored 26 points off 9-22 shooting. Devin Harris provided a spark off the bench, scoring 17 points and 4 steals. Al Horford (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Jeff Teague (14 points, 12 assists) both registered double-doubles, while Glenn Robinson III had a quieter night with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

CLE@ATL

CLE: 104
Parker 23, Irving 20, Waiters 13
ATL: 101
Lamb 26, Harris 17, Horford 16

Jordan Performer of the Game: Kyrie Irving 20 points (5-10 FG) 5 rebounds 14 assists 3 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 9
ATL: Horford 10

Assists
CLE: Irving 14
ATL: Teague 12

Cavs Surge to 8th Straight Win


Jameer Nelson back at the Amway Center.

The Cavaliers fought off a spirited Magic team to win 109-103 in Orlando.

While the game was dubbed as "Parker Vs Wiggins", Martti Must was the top scoring rookie. He had 22 points off the bench. Dion Waiters continued his stellar for, contributing 19 points and 5 assists. Jabari Parker scored 17, while Jameer Nelson enjoyed his first game back in Orlando with his best performance of the season. After Kyrie Irving was fouled out early in the 4th, Jameer stepped up and hit the game sealing free throws. He had 12 points and 7 assists. Steven Adams and Tristan Thompson both provided a great inside presense on both ends, as they registered 12 points and 3 blocks each.

Andrew Wiggins top scored for the Magic, with 21 points on 9-13 shooting. But once again, the Magic were killed by J.R. Smith's poor shot selection. Smith scored 19, but shot a woeful 8-26 from the field. Jason Thompson (12 points, 12 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (10 points, 9 rebounds) were both strong on the boards, while Elijah Thompson was one assist off a double-double, with 10 points and 9 assists.

CLE@ORL

CLE: 109
Must 22, Waiters 19, Parker 17
ORL: 103
Wiggins 21, Smith 19, J Thompson 12

Jordan Performer of the Game: Dion Waiters 19 points (7-12 FG) 3 rebounds 5 assists 1 steal

Rebounds
CLE: Mozgov, T Thompson 7
ORL: J Thompson 12

Assists
CLE: Nelson 7
ORL: Johnson 9

Overall: 19-12

Injury Update
Kyrie Irving - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Thabo Sefolosha - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Kenny]

Cleveland Hold Off Miami


Parker had a point to prove against LeBron.

With the game even at three quarter time, the Cavaliers managed to outlast the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter to win 120-114.

Jabari Parker showed off his skills against a former number one pick of the Cavaliers, scoring 25 points. Martti Must and Tristan Thompson (9 rebounds) were also productive on the night, scoring 22 points each, while J.J. Redick added 11 off the bench.

The former king of Cleveland had an impeccable night. LeBron scored 30 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Dwyane Wade showed some vintage form as well, with 26 points and 7 assists. Wilson Chandler (14) and Archie Goodwin (12) were solid, while Jordan Hill tallied 10 points and 6 rebounds.

MIA@CLE

CLE: 120
Parker 25, Must 22, Thompson 22
MIA: 114
James 30, Wade 26, Chandler 14

Jordan Performer of the Game: Jabari Parker 25 points (11-17 FG) 1 rebound 4 assists 1 steal 2 blocks

Rebounds
CLE: Thompson 9
MIA: James 9

Assists
CLE: Nelson 7
MIA: Chalmers 8

Cavs Get Revenge Against Bulls; Extend Streak to 10


Marcus Smart almost had a triple-double.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were overwhelming 114-83 victors against the Chicago Bulls, to extend their winning streak to 10 games. Both Chicago and Cleveland started rookie point guards, as Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving missed the game through injury.

Marcus Smart easily won the night against Da'Vonte Hughes. He was the Cavaliers best performer, as he had a career night with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 steals. Carl Landry had another big night off the bench, with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Jameer Nelson didn't shoot the ball well (4-13 FG) but had a pretty good night statiscally off the bench. He had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Jabari Parker (11) and Dion Waiters (10) had relatively quiet nights, while Tristan Thompson added 10 points.

For the Bulls, Orlando Johnson was the high point man. He scored 19, but had an average night from the floor, shooting 8-25. Joakim Noah on the other hand made the most of his attempts, as he scored 13 points off a perfect 5-5. With Da'Vonte Hughes struggling from the floor (3-10), Marquis Teague had to play a bigger role. He ended up with 12 points and 8 rebounds, while Harold Bayless added 11.

Despite the fact point guards from both teams led their team's rebounding, the most bizarre stat of the night came from J.J. Redick. He shot poorly (2-9) but had a huge night on defense, with 4 blocks. "J.J. Redick led the block party" is now a searchable term.

CHI@CLE

CLE: 114
Smart 25, Landry 20, Nelson 11
CHI: 83
Johnson 19, Noah 13, Teague 12

Jordan Performer of the Game: Marcus Smart 25 points (11-13 FG) 4 rebounds 10 assists 8 steals

Rebounds
CLE: Nelson 7
CHI: Cole, Teague 8

Assists
CLE: Smart 10
CHI: Butler 4

Overall: 21-12

Injury Update
Kyrie Irving - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)
Thabo Sefolosha - Twisted Ankle, Day-to-day (Hurt)

[Kenny]

December 2015 Summary

It's amazing how much can change in a month of basketball. At the end of November, the Cavaliers were on the bubble as the 8th team in the Eastern Conference. Now, after a 10 game winning streak (and counting, with any luck), the Cavaliers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

While there were some great individual performances in November, December was the month that saw every player work cohesively as a team. No individual has carried the team, which became evident when the Cavaliers managed to win their last two games without Kyrie Irving.

There are exciting times ahead for the Cleveland franchise!

Standings

East

Raptors 20-10
Cavaliers 21-12
Bucks 20-12
Bulls 18-11
Bobcats 19-12
Knicks 18-12
Pacers 17-15
Heat 15-14
---
76ers 14-17
Wizards 14-17
Nets 13-18
Magic 9-20
Pistons 8-22
Celtics 8-23

West

Thunder 23-9
Timberwolves 20-7
Trail Blazers 22-10
Kings 21-11
Suns 18-12
Hornets 16-15
Mavericks 16-15
Spurs 16-17
---
Lakers 15-16
Nuggets 14-15
Jazz 14-16
Rockets 12-18
Clippers 9-21
Grizzlies 8-20
Warriors 6-25

Monthly Awards

Player

East: [MIL] Brandon Jennings
West: [SAC] Tyreke Evans

Rookie

East: [ORL] Andrew Wiggins
West: [NOH] Wayne Selden

Transactions

Extensions

[BKN] Brook Lopez - 5yr/78.75M
[CHI] Joakim Noah - 5yr/30.49M
[IND] Roy Hibbert - 5yr/64.92M
[OKC] Kevin Durant - 5yr/102.23M
[WAS] Nene - 2yr/3.53M

Signings

[MIN] Wesley Johnson - 1yr/2.15M
[PHI] Jared Dudley - 1yr/1.64M

Trades

Clippers received: Trevor Booker
Wizards received: Marreese Speights

Lakers received: Taj Gibson, '16 2nd round pick
Bulls received: Ryan Anderson

[Kenny]

Award Races 2016

MVP

No surprises here; Kevin Durant is still the best player in the NBA. Kyrie Irving is a close second on the MVP list, as Cleveland have been one of the surprise teams of the league.

[OKC] Kevin Durant
27.5ppg 9.1rpg 5.5apg 1.7spg 1.6bpg .537 FG% .427 3PT% .913 FT%

[CLE] Kyrie Irving
22.5ppg 4.4rpg 7.2apg 3.5spg 0.6bpg .541 FG% .384 3PT% .831 FT%

[SAC] Tyreke Evans
20.7ppg 5.9rpg 7.3apg 1.8spg 0.6bpg .514 FG% .261 3PT% .803 FT%

[POR] Damian Lillard
20.8ppg 4.6rpg 7apg 1.6spg 0.1bpg .498 FG% .454 3PT% .868 FT%

[OKC] Russell Westbrook
21.7ppg 4.5rpg 6.6apg 1.7spg 0.1bpg .516 FG% .394 3PT% .783 FT%

Rookie of the Year

Overall picks one and two are ranked exactly where they were picked in the draft. But no sign of Willie Cauley-Stein or Zhelin Wang...

[CLE] Jabari Parker
18.5ppg 4.1rpg 4.1apg 1.1bpg .539 FG% .313 3PT% .833 FT%

[ORL] Andrew Wiggins
14.6ppg 6.7rpg 2.7apg 1.8spg 1.2bpg .481 FG% .439 3PT% .794 FT%

[ATL] Glenn Robinson III
16.8ppg 6rpg 1.2spg 1.3bpg 1. .544 FG% .373 3PT% .746 FT%

[CLE] Marcus Smart
10.8ppg 3.5rpg 5.2apg 1.8spg .485 FG% .250 3PT% .524 FT%

[BOS] Mitch McGary
12.4ppg 8.6rpg 1.9apg 1.2bpg .474 FG% .500 3PT% .581 FT%

Sixth Man of the Year

J.J. Redick is currently on track to threepeat as the 6th man of the year. But he has some interesting company.

[CLE] J.J. Redick
10.4ppg 2rpg 2apg .481 FG% .427 3PT% .914 FT%

[CHA] Byron Mullens
10.1ppg 3.9rpg 1spg .496 FG% .393 3PT% .755 FT%

[SAN] Jerryd Bayless
10.9ppg 2.4rpg 2.2apg .451 FG% .462 3PT% .813 FT%

[BKN] MarShon Brooks
10.6ppg 2.5rpg 2.2apg .464 FG% .422 3PT% .701 FT%

[BOS] Myck Kabongo
9.3ppg 1.9rpg 3.4apg .523 FG% .469 3PT% .810 FT%

Defensive Player of the Year

The two Anthony's top the list, as well as the reigning MVP and a perenial winner of the award. And for some reason, DeMarcus Cousins...

[DAL] Anthony Randolph
1.6spg 1.8bpg

[NOH] Anthony Davis
1.4spg 2.3bpg

[OKC] Kevin Durant
1.7spg 1.6bpg

[MIL] Dwight Howard
0.9spg 1.8bpg

[SAC] DeMarcus Cousins
1.2spg 1.6bpg

Most Improved Player

With Jeremy Lin gone, Trey Burke has climbed up the point guard rotation for the Rockets and has florished. Despite having some poor shooting numbers, Jan Vesely also makes the list, while Michael Beasley is finally becoming a regular contributor in the NBA.

[HOU] Trey Burke
13.8ppg 2.7rpg 5.6apg .416 FG% .453 3PT% .671 FT%

[ORL] Elijah Johnson
13.8ppg 3.3rpg 6apg 1.5spg .437 FG% .295 3PT% .772 FT%

[WAS] Jan Vesely
10.6ppg 5.5rpg 3.8apg 1.1spg .417 FG% .097 3PT% .698 FT%

[UTA] Ryan Harrow
11.9ppg 4.5rpg 7.7apg 1.4spg .416 FG% .306 3PT% .779 FT%

[LAL] Michael Beasley
19.4ppg 9rpg 3.2apg 1spg .459 FG% .356 3PT% .766 FT%

[Kenny]

The 2015 Draft Class So Far...

As expected, Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins are in the top tier. The January Rookie of the Year race has them at their respective draft positions; 1 and 2. Glenn Robinson III, Marcus Smart and Martti Must are proving to be effective pros as well.

Willie Cauley-Stein was always going to be a project offensively, and at the moment he's averaging just 1.5 points per game off .429 shooting in 28.9 minutes per game. It's worth noting though that he leads all rookies in both blocks, second in rebounds, and is the defensive anchor for the East's top team. Cauley-Stein was the highest drafted amongst all the centres, and so far, he's one of the best... at least defensively.

NLSC

Martti Must (Martti) - SF - Cleveland Cavaliers
33 games (10 starts)
11.6ppg 4.1rpg 2.4apg 0.7bpg .475 FG% .400 3PT% .585 FT%

Must has contributed straight away to one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Off the bench, he's currently fifth in the NBA in three pointers made. But for someone who has such an impressive spot up jumpshot, it's perplexing to see how much he struggles at the free throw line. Those struggles aside, Martti has been a great addition to the Cavaliers.


Axel Gomez (Axel.) - PG/SG - Washington Wizards
31 games (5 starts)
4.6ppg 1.1rpg 2.7apg .435 FG% .556 3PT% .914 FT%

Axel Gomez is a strange case study. He's having a 50-40-90 season, only the 50 and the 40 are the other way around. He's been an efficient option off the bench for the Wizards so far and also provides them a hard defender on the perimeter. Get this guy more playing time, coach!

Chris Bridges (blue1803) - SF/PG - Houston Rockets
30 games
3.2ppg 1.1rpg 2apg .407 FG% .333 3PT% .733 FT%

Bridges is only averaging 8.4 minutes per game, but he's gradually improving the more time he spends with the pros. He's on a team with a logjam at the 3, as he is currently sharing minutes with Chandler Parsons, Shabazz Muhammad, and James Anderson. But Bridges has a lot of potential, so hopefully he can either see more minutes or get traded to a team that can use him more.

Da'Vonte Hughes (Dmastawwe) - PG/SG - Chicago Bulls
21 games (6 starts)
7.7ppg 2.3rpg 3.4apg .388 FG% .000 3PT% .575 FT%

Injury struck Derrick Rose once again, which means DaVonte Hughes has gotten a great chance to prove his credentials at the NBA level. So far, his game hasn't really translated over. The zero percent three point percentage is deceptive, since he's only had one attempt the entire season. A sub-400 field goal and a terrible free throw percentage for a point guard are a little distressing though. Luckily there isn't much behind him at the moment (Pierre Jackson and Marquis Teague), so Hughes will have plenty of chances to improve these numbers while Rose is hurt.

Rookie Leaders

PPG

[CLE] Jabari Parker 18.5
[ATL] Glenn Robinson III 16.8
[ORL] Andrew Wiggins 14.6
[BOS] Mitch McGary 12.4
[CLE] Martti Must 11.6

RPG

[BOS] Mitch McGary 8.6
[TOR] Willie Cauley-Stein 8.1
[BKN] Julius Randle 8
[ORL] Andrew Wiggins 6.7
[ATL] Glenn Robinson III 6

APG

[CLE] Marcus Smart 5.2
[OKC] Andrew Harrison 4.6
[CLE] Jabari Parker 4.1
[CHI] DaVonte Hughes 3.4
[CHA] Spencer Dinwiddie 3.3

SPG

[CLE] Marcus Smart 1.8
[ORL] Andrew Wiggins 1.8
[BKN] Julius Randle 1.3
[ATL] Glenn Robinson III 1.2
[BOS] PJ Hairston 1

BPG

[TOR] Willie Cauley-Stein 1.5
[ATL] Glenn Robinson III 1.3
[BKN] Julius Randle 1.2
[BOS] Mitch McGary 1.2
[ORL] Andrew Wiggins 1.2