Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 most intriguing matchups of 2019-20 season
By Dan Gilinsky
The schedule release was Monday afternoon for NBA teams, and looking at the slate for the Cleveland Cavaliers, five matchups jumped out.
Monday afternoon was the time of the NBA schedule release for all teams, and for the Cleveland Cavaliers, no games in the 2019-20 season are going to be written-in W’s.
This Cleveland squad was tied for the second-worst record in the 2018-19 season with a record of 19-63 (per NBA.com) and yes, as we’ve often noted here at KJG, injuries played a big role in the Cavs’ win-loss total for last season, but with the team likely playing a bunch of young players huge minutes this coming season, too, and likely struggling on defense, Cleveland’s record probably won’t be drastically different.
The 2019-20 season, which begins on Oct. 23 at the Orlando Magic, should feature a more entertaining Cleveland squad as compared to last season, though, either way, as Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman, who established themselves as crucial parts of the team’s future last year, should be ready to roll for Cleveland in the team’s 50th season, and Cleveland’s 2019 rookie class of Darius Garland, Dylan Windler and Kevin Porter Jr. should each make their presence felt in a big way, too, and all have the capability to hit three-point shots at a high clip.
As far as the longest homestand, Cleveland has six games from Nov. 23-Dec. 6 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and as far as the longest road trip, Cleveland has six games from March 10-21 (both per a Cavs.com press release). In terms of national draw, the Cavs are only on national TV once, on Nov. 8 at the Washington Wizards (which is on ESPN) and they have two games on NBA TV (h/t long-time NBA writer Jared Dubin).
So let’s jump into the most intriguing matchups of the upcoming season when it comes to a fan’s perspective (and you can view the schedule infographic here, courtesy of the Cleveland Cavaliers).
#5: At home vs. the Los Angeles Lakers – March 26, 2020
Any time LeBron James is back in town, things are going back to be pretty interesting. Last season, when the Los Angeles Lakers and number 23 were in Cleveland on Nov. 21, 2018, Cedi Osman and the Cavaliers made a nice showing for themselves with a national TV audience.
Osman had 21 points on seven-of-13 shooting (including five-of-seven from three-point range, per ESPN) and seven rebounds in a close 109-105 loss, and that was cool to see, as James has reportedly been a mentor for the Cavs’ young wing.
So looking to the game where L.A. visits the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2019-20 season, they’ll look different.
The Lakers reportedly traded for New Orleans Pelicans’ superstar Anthony Davis this offseason, and shipped out Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first-round picks (and the Pels would reportedly wheel and deal more near the 2019 NBA Draft, too).
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
L.A. did go out and sign veteran three-and-D contributors this offseason in Danny Green and Avery Bradley, though, and also brought in DeMarcus Cousins to bolster their big rotation as well, and the Lakers were able to hold on to Kyle Kuzma, too (though his value seems to be a bit overblown, given his inefficiency last season).
Adding a bit more to this one, which will be a very difficult game for the Cavs, is the fact that Garland and Tristan Thompson (who will seemingly be traded by this time, though) are represented by Rich Paul, and the Lakers were seemingly interested and were a good fit for Garland when they initially had the 2019 NBA Draft’s fourth overall pick (which was dealt in the Davis trade, though).
Do Darius and Osman want to show out a bit more in this one in what will be one of only a few games for Cleveland with the national spotlight? I believe so, and I think the Cavs will keep it close, but those three-and-D contributors will be the difference.
Add in a tribute video or two for Bron in what should be a good one, but the Lakers will get the W; plenty of bro hugs will ensue following this one between James and K-Love, Cedi and others. The other matchup, I’ll say the Lakers run away with it in L.A. earlier in the year on Jan. 13.