The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2017-18 schedule is officially out and their 82-game schedule features loads of intriguing games for fans to try and catch. Whether or not the Cavs end up trading guard Kyrie Irving, they’ll still have LeBron James, so here are the five games for Cavs fans to watch from the upcoming season:
1. Warriors @ Cavaliers – January 15, 2018 at 8PM EST on TNT
The Cavs will take on the Warriors on Christmas Day for the first time this season, but they’ll be hosting Golden State in Cleveland on January 15th (martin Luther King Jr. Day). This matchup will be the 26th time the two teams will have met over the last three-and-a-half seasons. If Irving remains on the team, this matchup will be even more intriguing to watch.
2. Cavaliers @ Celtics – January 3, 2018 at 8PM EST on ESPN
The Boston Celtics come into Cleveland to take on the reigning defending Eastern Conference Champions in Cleveland. Their first opportunity to take on the Celtics in their hostile atmosphere will come on January 3rd, fresh into the 2018 calendar year. Boston is expected to be the Cavs’ strongest competition in the East, but how good both sides will be in the few months remains to be seen.
3. Wolves @ Cavaliers – February 7, 2018 at 8PM EST on ESPN
The new-look Minnesota Timberwolves march into Quicken Loans Arena on February 7th to take on the Cavs. After trading for Jimmy Butler and signing Jeff Teague as well as Jamal Crawford in free agency, the Timberwolves are looking like a team to not only make the playoffs, but also contend with the West’s elite.
4. 76ers @ Cavaliers – December 9, 2017 at 8PM EST on FSO
If they can stay healthy, the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to compete for a playoff spot in the now-depleted Eastern Conference. If they can get the healthy returns of Ben Simmons (foot) as well as Joel Embiid (knee) and build chemistry with sharpshooter J.J. Redick, Philly could seriously be a force to be reckoned with. Cavs fans will get their first chance to see them on December 9th.
5. Thunder @ Cavaliers – January 20, 2018 at 8PM EST on TNT
Another team that revamped their roster this offseason is the Oklahoma City Thunder. After adding Paul George and Patrick Patterson to the team that boasted the 2017 MVP, OKC is also expected to contend with the Warriors out West. Cavs fans will have their first chance to see George, whom Cleveland nearly pulled off a trade for this offseason, with the Thunder on January 20th;