The Cavaliers point guard will miss his second straight game due to a shoulder strain he suffered against the Golden State Warriors.
During their torrent stretch within the last 21 games, the Cavaliers have been blessed with good health. LeBron James has missed some time due to some minor injuries, likely the result of four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, but with him back in the lineup gelling with fellow star Kyrie Irving and wing pickups J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, the Cavs have looked like the NBA’s best team within the last month and a half.
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Cleveland’s turnaround was punctuated by a 110-99 win over the Golden State Warriors, one that saw LeBron go for 42 points and 11 rebounds, and challenge Stephen Curry in the MVP race. However, both he and Irving were forced to sit out the next game with seemingly minor injuries against the Indiana Pacers, which the Cavs lost 93-86.
Read: ESPN Makes Hilarious Error Over Rockets Record
It looks as though the Cavs may be without Irving again today.
From ESPN:
"[Irving] did not travel with the team for Friday night’s game at Indiana, and Cavs coach David Blatt was hopeful Irving could join the team in time to face the [Houston] Rockets.However, the Cavs sent out a medical update on Saturday saying Irving needed more time."
The Houston Rockets have relied heavily on a slower scoring pace, one which allows James Harden to win with isolation that sees him routinely draw fouls and just make folks look foolish. Irving’s presence would help the Cavs push the pace on the Rockets and force them out of their half-court game.
However, LeBron’s presence gives Cleveland back it’s offensive focal point, and distribution to the Cavs talented role players will stem directly from him.
The Cavaliers play the Rockets in Houston today at 3:30PM Eastern.
[H/T: ESPN]
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