5 Cavs games that jump out in first half of 2022-23 season

5 key Cavs games in 2022-23 first half – No. 4: Dec. 17 versus the Dallas Mavericks

I’m going to go with No. 4 being a home matchup versus the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8 PM. This will be the second leg of a back-to-back, with the first being a home game versus the Indiana Pacers at on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 PM.

This is a matchup where Luka Doncic will look to get himself and his teammates plenty of quality looks versus Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen and a defensive-oriented Cavs team, at their core.

Dallas is a club that could again possibly make a deep postseason run, and their offseason trade acquisition of Christian Wood should provide Doncic with a legitimate pick-and-pop threat, floor spacing big and meaningful rolling partner.

This sort of game intrigues me as it will be the second game versus Dallas in three games, for one, but more so due to it being one where the Cavs will have to contend with one of the game’s best jumbo playmakers, and a team with a number of quality shooters. I’d think Dean Wade, Lauri Markkanen a bit, Okoro and Lamar Stevens would draw the Doncic primary cover for stretches throughout this one, and perhaps Cleveland could mix in zone a bit just to have counters for Dallas and Doncic.

Generally, though, this is the type of matchup where I’d like to see if Cleveland can use its physicality, and rim pressure guys to be able to maybe get Wood/Maxi Kleber into foul trouble, and maybe take their opponent out of their element.

That’ll be easier said than done, as Dallas, who reached last year’s Western Conference Finals in shocking fashion, got an impact contributor in Wood, who should thrive with Doncic on offense. And the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie and shooters such as Reggie Bullock and Davis Bertans need to be accounted for.

So, don’t sleep on that Cavs-Mavs tilt.