NBA Games of the Week: Epic 40-point blowout potential

NBA Games of the Week: Epic blowout potential

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Dwyane Wade #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walk up court during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 20: JR Smith /

Sunday, Oct. 29: New York at Cleveland, 7:00 p.m. EST

The difficulty with the Cavs is they’re struggling from beyond the 3-point line this season. They made 11 shots from deep in their game against the Bucks, but made 11 total in their other two games against the Celtics and Magic. They’ve only attempted 24 3-pointers a game, 22nd in the league. That’s 10 attempts fewer than their average last season.

As already mentioned, the Cavs lost a lot of their shooting with Kyrie, a career 38 percent 3-point shooter, and replaced him with Thomas. Thomas should replace that production relatively easily with the one caveat being his health when he returns from that hip injury. If he’s able to be as productive as he was in Boston, then the Cavs won’t miss Irving’s offensive production. But, again that’s only until January. Their lack of shooting from the outside is too low for long-term contention and even in competing against the Warriors.

Their issues will be further exacerbated by it being a back-to-back after a night game against the Pelicans. The Cavs could beat both teams, but with a bruising matchup against DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, there could be a slight dropoff.

The benefit is LeBron thinks he isn’t in game shape so he’ll definitely be carrying his usual workload as he attempts to trick us into thinking he’s actually not in shape. Also, they’re playing the Knicks, who struggle from beyond the arc as well. Kristaps Porzingis’ incredible start to the season could be a wrench, but if the Cavs can catch one of those Cavs games where they hit 15 3-pointers then we’re looking pretty good.

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