NBA games of the week: Annual Cavaliers struggle

Monday, Jan. 15: Golden State at Cleveland, 8:00 p.m. ET

Cleveland is struggling on offense. Over the past nine games, since their Christmas matchup against the Warriors, the Cavs are 26th in offensive rating and 30th in assist ratio. They’ve made 33.7 percent of their 3-pointers, down from their season average of 37.2, seventh in the league. Stretch that average out across the entire season, and the Cavs are the second-worst shooting team in the league.

Since their Christmas game against the Warriors, the Cavs have scored 100 points only three times, despite reaching 100 points in 26 straight games prior to Dec. 25. To say it’s the time you’d guess the Cavs would most likely struggle would be right. Eight of their last nine games have been on the road, including trips across the country and swaps between the midwest and east multiple times.

Unfortunately, their first home game off the road trip is against the defending champs. The Warriors are still pulling off wins that make you realize how great this team is all-time. Despite a furious charge from the Raptors’ depth and some controversy, the Warriors still won. The wear on their last few seasons is showing as the Law of Averages surfaces. Their past bills of health have turned into multiple injuries to their best players. Still, they just keep winning. Does any team in the East bring them to six games? How many get swept?