Cleveland Cavaliers' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for December

The Cleveland Cavaliers' October/November schedule was a necessary, albeit occasionally ugly, start to their 2014-15 season.

What started with a neighborhood party headlined by Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons quickly took a sorrowful and "fragile" turn. Cleveland dropped their home opener to the New York Knicks (seriously, the Knicks!) and came away victorious during just one of their first four contests.

Now set to begin a new month, the team is starting to click.

The Cavaliers ride out of November with an 8-7 record, including 7-4 in their last 11 games. Wins over the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks carry hope into the new month, while losses to the Knicks, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets bring along some concern as well.

With a favorable upcoming schedule that only features eight currently seeded playoff teams in 18 games, Cleveland looks to build on its strong November finish.

Dec. 1 Through Dec. 7

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Key Matchup: Dec. 5 at Toronto Raptors (13-4)

Two Eastern Conference powerhouses clash yet again as Cleveland and Toronto meet for a second time.

In their first face-off of the season on Nov. 22, the Cavs built an 18-point lead in the first quarter, only to squander the game away 110-93. It wrapped up an 0-4 week for the Wine and Gold, a loss that had LeBron James questioning the team's heart.

"We're a very fragile team right now," James told Dave McMenamin of ESPN after the game. "Well, we were a fragile team from the beginning. Any little adversity hits us, we just shell up. That's something that will come with experience."

Since that loss to the Raptors, the Cavaliers have gone 3-0 with an average game score of 109-86.

Cleveland will have to bring its A-game against Toronto, which leads the East with 13 wins. Its offense scores 107.6 points per game, second in the NBA to the Dallas Mavericks (109.1).

Unfortunately, the Raptors are already a great team, while the Cavs are still trying to become one.

Raps take this one, with or without Chris Pratt.

Other Games: Dec. 2 vs. Milwaukee Bucks (10-8), Dec. 4 at New York Knicks (4-14)

Cleveland faces a scrappy, young Bucks team at home before hitting the road to take on the Knicks and Raptors.

Milwaukee is off to a shocking 10-8 start after finishing an NBA-worst 15-67 a year ago. Coach Jason Kidd has his team playing hard and sharing the scoring load. Five players are averaging at least 10.2 points per game. Although the Cavaliers have a great advantage when it comes to talent and experience, as we've seen this season, teams can't take the Bucks for granted anymore.

The Cavaliers get a day off before traveling to Madison Square Garden for a little revenge on the Knicks. New York spoiled the Cavaliers' home opener and James' return home 95-90 on Oct. 30. The Knicks are pretty awful, having lost four in a row and are just 4-14 on the season.

The Cavs need to take care of business here and should do so against both Eastern foes.

 

Record: 2-1

Wins: Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks

Loss: Toronto Raptors

Dec. 8 Through Dec. 14

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Key Matchup: Dec. 11 at Oklahoma City Thunder (5-12)

Don't let the record fool you; this is going to be a rough game for the Cavaliers.

The Thunder have witnessed a number of injuries this young season, including superstars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. The bad news for Cleveland? OKC is finally getting healthy.

Westbrook returned to the lineup Nov. 28 following a hand injury and promptly dropped 32 points and eight assists in just 24 minutes in a win over the New York Knicks. Durant may not be far behind, according to Anthony Slater of NewsOK.com,

"

After practice, Durant went through an intensified individual shooting workout, roaming the perimeter and taking long-range jumpers at game speed.

He’s a little more than six weeks removed from surgery on his Jones fracture — putting him at the front end of his projected return timetable. He’s likely to be back soon. Brooks wouldn’t even rule him out of the Thunder’s game in New Orleans on Tuesday.

"

A Thunder team with Westbrook and Durant should once again climb toward the top of the league. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they're playing Oklahoma City at the wrong time.

Thunder top the Cavs in this one.

Other Games: Dec. 8 at Brooklyn Nets (6-9), Dec. 9 vs. Toronto Raptors (13-4), Dec. 12 at New Orleans Pelicans (7-8)

Cleveland's first game of the week is its easiest one. After enjoying the previous two days off, the Cavaliers get a struggling Nets team that's just 3-4 at home. The Cavs take this one and get to rest some starters in the fourth quarter for the following night's contest.

After beating down Brooklyn, Cleveland returns home for yet another game against the Rap pack. After dropping the first matchup and likely the second, the Cavaliers finally pull out their first win of the series.

Cleveland faces a tough Pelicans team led by MVP-candidate Anthony Davis just a day after playing on TNT against the Thunder. Between the change in spotlight and overnight flight, the Cavaliers are bound for a letdown against the Bayou Birds. Pelicans win to even the season series at a game apiece.

Record: 2-2

Wins: Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors

Losses: Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans

Dec. 15 Through Dec. 21

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Key Matchup: Dec. 21 vs. Memphis Grizzlies (15-2)

The Cavaliers' toughest opponent of the month, Memphis has the NBA's best record heading into December.

The veteran core of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and company are once again playing elite defense and currently hold the Western Conference's No. 1 seed. The Grizzlies allow just 92.4 points per game, second-fewest in the league.

Cleveland needs a strong defensive effort in this one, as offense may be hard to come by. Memphis does an excellent job of slowing the game down and making opponents fight for points.

This will be an excellent test for the Cavs, but ultimately it's one they won't pass.

Other Games: Dec. 15 vs. Charlotte Hornets (4-14), Dec. 17 vs. Atlanta Hawks (9-6), Dec. 19 vs. Brooklyn Nets (6-9)

Cleveland gets to enjoy a nice five-game home stand, starting with the woeful Hornets, and should pick up some easy wins in this stretch.

Charlotte, which was a surprise playoff squad just a season ago, has stumbled out of the gate this year. The loss of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a foot injury has hurt the team's defense, and the offense is scoring just 93.6 points per game. While Lance Stephenson will try whatever measure is necessary to stop James, the Cavs should roll to an easy win at home here.

The Hawks may still be having nightmares from the last time they faced Cleveland. The Cavaliers exploded for 127 points in a Nov. 15 win, collecting a franchise-record 19 three-pointers in the process. While they may not enjoy the same offensive output, the Cavs should once again top the Hawks.

Cleveland looks to go 2-0, presumably, in the young season against the aging Nets. At home and coming off a rest day, there's no reason to believe the Cavs won't.

Record: 3-1

Wins: Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets

Loss: Memphis Grizzlies

Dec. 22 Through Dec. 31

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Key Matchup: Dec. 25 at Miami Heat (9-7)

Always an entertaining matchup the past four seasons, this year's version of Cavs-Heat carries a new meaning.

After popping open some gifts and enjoying time with family, millions across America will be tuning in to watch James face his former team on Christmas Day.

While Cleveland and Miami already squared off during the preseason in Brazil, this will mark the first regular-season matchup between the two. Heading into December with almost identical records, one can bet on an entertaining game.

James' teammates will realize the extra importance of this contest to him and step up their collective games. The Cavaliers bring a bit of the Ohio cold with them to South Beach, cooling off the Heat en route to a Christmas Day win.

Other Games: Dec. 23 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-11), Dec. 26 at Orlando Magic (7-12), Dec. 28 vs. Detroit Pistons (3-14), Dec. 30 at Atlanta Hawks (9-6), Dec. 31 vs. Milwaukee Bucks (10-8)

Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett return to Cleveland, and Kevin Love gets to face his former team in this intriguing matchup. The Timberwolves have a nice blend of young talent, but they are next to last in the Western Conference and are without leading-scorer Kevin Martin following wrist surgery.

Emotions aside, the Cavaliers take care of the T-Pups and get Love a win against his old squad.

While a win against the lowly Magic may be easy to call, one has to consider the night before. The Cavs will be coming off a heated contest against the, well, Heat and will take Orlando for granted. The Magic pull off the upset, and Cleveland finishes its brief Florida trip 1-1.

After a couple of rough outings in Northeast Ohio, Atlanta should have some revenge on its mind now back at home. The Hawks are a strong outside-shooting team and will take down the Cavaliers behind Kyle Korver's 31-point effort. Shawn Marion declines to comment afterward.

The Cavaliers get to wrap up the month the same way it began: beating the baby Bucks. Milwaukee, after starting 10-8, has fallen back to earth. Cleveland runs up the score and gets to celebrate New Year's Eve early.

Record: 4-2

Wins: Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks

Losses: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks

December Recap

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Wins are nice, but December is all about continuing to build chemistry for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Going off talent alone, one could argue Cleveland should hit 14 or 15 wins in its 17-game month. Considering this is a team that is still comprised of a lot of new, moving pieces, expectations should be tapered a bit.

Plenty of intriguing games fill the docket. James returns to Miami. Love faces the Timberwolves, while Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett return to Cleveland. The Cavs get to face East playoff contenders Atlanta and Toronto four combined times.

Cleveland also gets to test its strength against some Western powers as well with games at Oklahoma City and home against the Grizzlies. During four of these contests, the entire nation can tune in as the Cavaliers make appearances on NBA TV (Hornets), TNT (Knicks, Thunder) and ABC (Heat).

Expect some progress while James and company continue to figure each other and coach David Blatt's system out.

While not a breathtaking record, the Cavs should enjoy a solid December overall.

Overall Record: 11-6

Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bleacher Report since 2010.

All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.