Cleveland Cavaliers' Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for January
With news that star forward LeBron James will miss the next two weeks, 2015 is not off to a good start for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Looking ahead at the January schedule doesn't bode well for them, either. The Cavs play nine times over the next 15 days, with seven of those contests coming against teams in the mighty Western Conference.
Already entering what appears to be their most difficult month, the Cavaliers will have to spend the first half without their best player. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Dion Waiters should help keep the team afloat, but for how long?
Following a 10-7 month of December that ended with three straight losses, this could easily be make-or-break time for the Cavs. While making the playoffs is a virtual lock, these next few weeks could truly reveal if they can be one called one of the conference's best teams.
Jan 1. Through Jan. 9
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Key Matchup: Jan. 9 at Golden State Warriors (25-5)
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA. Cleveland is the fifth-best team in the East and will be without James. Things could get ugly here.
Golden State is an impressive 12-1 on its home floor, which is also tops in the league. In the four major categories (points scored, rebounds, assists, points allowed), the Warriors rank no worse than ninth overall. Their 26.1 assists per game are best in the NBA.
Stephen Curry vs. Irving will be a fun matchup to watch, as will Klay Thompson vs. Waiters. Golden State's only weakness will be the knee injury to Andrew Bogut, the anchor of the team's defense. He's likely out until at least mid-January, per ESPN.
If the Cavaliers can somehow top the Warriors, they will be the first Eastern Conference team this season to do so. Golden State is currently 9-0 against squads from the East.
Other Games
Jan. 2 at Charlotte Hornets (10-23)
Jan. 4 vs. Dallas Mavericks (23-10)
Jan. 5 at Philadelphia 76ers (4-26)
Jan. 7 vs. Houston Rockets (22-9)
The Hornets will also be short-handed, as they recently lost center Al Jefferson to a strained adductor muscle in his groin. After showing some inspired play following an injury to shooting guard Lance Stephenson, the Hornets have dropped their last four contests. If Love is a go, the Cavaliers can secure a road win by going to him early and often inside.
Rajon Rondo and the Dallas Mavericks come into town on Jan. 4, bringing with them the NBA's No. 1-ranked offense at 109.6 points per game. Considering two of Cleveland's best defenders, James and Anderson Varejao, are both out, this could be a long game for the Cavs.
Cleveland finally gets to face the lowly Sixers the following day. Philadelphia is the only team in the league yet to win a home game (0-14) and has the worst record at 4-26. Even on the second night of a back-to-back, the Cavaliers have to secure a win here.
ESPN will be in Cleveland for the Cavs-Rockets showdown on Jan. 7. Houston is playing great basketball and allow just 97 points per night, third-best in the NBA. The signing of Josh Smith only makes the Rockets more formidable inside.
Record: 2-3
Wins: Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers
Losses: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors
Jan. 10 Through Jan. 16
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Key Matchup: Jan. 16 at Los Angeles Clippers (22-11)
This should be a fun one. Irving vs. Chris Paul. Love vs. Blake Griffin. Could we also see James vs. Matt Barnes?
Following the two-week prognosis set for James' injuries to heal, the four-time MVP could actually return in time for this game. The Clippers are quite vulnerable defensively, allowing 100.2 points per night. A healthy James, along with Irving and Love, could make this a high-scoring contest indeed.
It will certainly be tough, though possible, to pull off a victory in the Staples Center on back-to-back nights for the Cavaliers. The Clippers are a gritty 14-4 at home but just 10-5 against teams from the East this season.
Cleveland needs James to return in order to have a chance in this one. If not, expect Los Angeles to take care of the short-handed Cavs.
Other Games
Jan. 11 at Sacramento Kings (13-19)
Jan. 13 at Phoenix Suns (18-16)
Jan 15. at Los Angeles Lakers (10-22)
From Jan 9. to Jan. 16, the Cavaliers embark on their longest road trip of the season.
The Kings looked like a dark horse for the postseason earlier this year but have since fallen back to their familiar lottery ways, going just 2-8 in their last 10 games, Cleveland is catching Sacramento at the right time and should capture a road win here.
Phoenix is barely holding onto the final playoff spot in the West, even with the Oklahoma City Thunder knocking on the door. A scrappy young team led by the point guard trio of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, the Suns will burn the Cavaliers defense. Phoenix takes this one in a high-scoring affair.
Hopefully, Kobe Bryant is healthy enough to go when the Cavs take on the Lakers, because it seems like Los Angeles plays better without him. In what was one of the hottest tickets six years ago, both Bryant and James are still worth the price of admission, even if both have lost a step or two. Cleveland comes out on top, exacting revenge for this nightmare of a game back in February 2014.
Record: 2-2
Wins: Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers
Loss: Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers
Jan. 17 Through Jan. 23
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Key Matchup: Jan. 19 vs. Chicago Bulls (22-10)
If there's any team the Cavaliers could use a win against, Chicago would be it.
The Bulls are currently holding down the No. 4 seed in the East, while the Cavs are fifth. This means the two would meet in the first round of the playoffs, with Chicago having home-court advantage. Cleveland needs to somehow crack the top four spots, or its stay in the postseason could be short-lived.
Jimmy Butler has been a monster for the Bulls this season, and Derrick Rose has suited up for 22 of the team's 32 games. Pau Gasol (17.6 points, 11.1 rebounds) has been one of the summer's best free-agent signings.
The Cavaliers, finally back home following a grueling road trip, take down Chicago and move a step closer to the No. 4 seed.
Other Games
Jan. 21 vs. Utah Jazz (11-21)
Jan. 23 vs. Charlotte Hornets (10-23)
Cleveland gets a day to rest in between all three games this week, which is key for a team returning from the West Coast.
While Gordon Hayward may have given the Jazz a dramatic win over the Cavaliers in Utah earlier this season, James and Co. make sure that doesn't happen again. Cleveland gets the W in this one over a Jazz team that is currently just 5-12 on the road this year.
Jefferson will likely still be out for the Hornets, who may become sellers by this point. With a day of rest and over a week at home, there's no excuse for the Cavaliers not to wrap up another win.
Record: 3-0
Wins: Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets
Loss: None
Jan. 24 Through Jan. 31
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Key Matchup: Jan. 25 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (16-17)
Now back at full strength, the Thunder are far better than what their record shows.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be nightmares to guard, and second-year center Steven Adams has been solid lately as well. James didn't get to play in the first meet-up of these two teams, one where the Thunder came away victorious by a final score of 103-94.
In a rare afternoon game on ABC, there's a lot to like about the Cavaliers in this one at home with James back. The team will have been in town eight straight days, without having to play a back-to-back in nearly 10. Cleveland takes its fourth straight win in a game where Waiters drops 28 to lead the team.
Other Games
Jan. 27 at Detroit Pistons (8-23)
Jan. 28 vs. Portland Trail Blazers (26-7)
Jan. 30 vs. Sacramento Kings (13-19)
Jan. 31 at Minnesota Timberwolves (5-25)
Although the Pistons have won three straight and played much better since the release of Josh Smith, they're still the Pistons. Cleveland makes up for an embarrassing loss earlier this season and wins by double digits.
Portland might overtake the Warriors for best record in the NBA by this time. They defend, score, move the ball and rebound. Basically, they're everything the Cavaliers should hope to become by playoff time. The Blazers cruise through Cleveland in this one.
After beating them in Sacramento earlier this month, the Cavaliers dish their second demolishing of the Kings in Cleveland this time. DeMarcus Cousins gets in a fight with Matthew Dellavedova by the third quarter and is politely asked to leave the game.
Entering their fifth game in seven days, the Cavs make the mistake of taking their sneaker off the gas pedal in a trip to Minnesota. The young Timberpups somehow run all over Cleveland, with fans whispering insults toward Love all throughout the game.
Record: 3-2
Wins: Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings
Losses: Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves
January Recap
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This was shaping up to be a rough month to begin with even with a healthy James. Now that he's sidelined for two weeks, others will have to step up if the Cavaliers hope to hang onto their current fifth spot in the East.
Look for the Cavs to make some sort of move during this month, most likely for a big man to help offset the loss of Varejao. Cleveland has been terrible at protecting the rim, and losing James means a loss of the best perimeter defender as well.
The Cavaliers will also experience a rough start to January with a season-high five-game road trip. Facing teams like the Mavericks, Rockets, Warriors and Clippers doesn't help, either.
This month is all about weathering the storm until James can return. Expect a better than .500 record, although probably not by much.
Overall Record: 10-7
Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bleacher Report since 2010.
All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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