Cleveland Cavaliers
2017-18 record: 50-32
2017-18 season series: 2-2
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
If things break right for the Cavs, Kevin Love could lead them to a playoff appearance. That doesn’t mean much in the East, though, as Cleveland still feels like the post-LeBron leftovers at this point. Can that team — plus Collin Sexton and David Nwaba — make any serious progress?
With Love manning the four spot, the Cavs are going to have some serious defensive shortcomings. Cedi Osman and Sexton will bring some much-needed energy to that end, but the results won’t be great.
In addition to their defensive concerns, the Cavs’ second-leading scorer is still unknown. Larry Nance Jr. should be the full-time starter, but he isn’t. Emphasizing youth and starting Sexton makes sense, but that isn’t the current plan.
When the dust settles, Rodney Hood might end up averaging 16-18 points per game and spearheading the Cavs’ perimeter attack. That doesn’t sound like an elite, or even good NBA team. Expect the Sixers to thoroughly handle this matchup.