The Cleveland Cavaliers are on pace to make a deep run in this year’s season. Kenny Atkinson has all the plans to improve how Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen play in the Cavs system. While the playoffs are still very far, they could start small. This squad could start proving themselves during the NBA Cup, via Cavs Notes.
The Cavs have a fairly tough NBA Cup schedule ahead of them. They will start off their campaign on the 15th of November at 7:30 pm Eastern Time when the Donovan Mitchell-led squad faces the Chicago Bulls. The Cavs have won three out of their last four games against the Bulls. Their only loss happened in their last matchup of the season. Even then, the game was an overtime thriller that featured Evan Mobley and Mitchell combining for 48 points.
Their next NBA Cup challengers would be the defending champions. This is usually where Kenny Atkinson’s new schemes and rotational changes would be tested. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Joe Mazzulla wiped the floor with the Cavs throughout the season. Even with a complete squad of Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Daris Garland, the Cavs only won two games in their seven matchups in the 2023 season. So, this game that happens on the 19th of December will be a big determiner of where the Cavs are in terms of season progression. TNT will be broadcasting this on national television.
Two other big matchups for the Cavs in the NBA Cup
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Just 10 days after the clash with the Celtics, the Cavs will face their next opponents in the Atlanta Hawks. These two squads were also grouped together in last season’s NBA Cup. The Cavs came out triumphant in their only matchup in this setting. As far as head-to-head matchups go, Trae Young and Co. have only won a single game against the Cavs in 2023. Their game is set to happen on the 29th of November at 2:30 pm. This fixture will be broadcast on NBA TV.
The Cavs will cap off their NBA Cup group-stage campaign against the Washington Wizards. Kenny Atkinson and his squad should not have a problem winning this clash. They have not lost to the Wizards at all last season. In fact, they put out such an insane scoring clinic against the Wizards last season that their largest point differential clocked in at 39 points. This game happens on the 3rd of December at 7 pm.
The Cavs have a fair shot of winning the NBA Cup. Hopefully, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen along with the rest of their squad set the tone of the season right en route to many trophies.