If the Cleveland Cavaliers had lost to the Nuggets on Friday, there may have been a full-scale panic. But they won, 110-101. The sky did not fall, the world did not end, disaster was averted. They even managed to rack up 25 assists in the process. They're now 2-3 on the young season.
Tonight, they will play in front of their home crowd for the first time since that opening game against the Knicks more than a week ago. The guests of honor this time will be the New Orleans Pelicans, who feature one of the game's brightest young stars.
Who: Pelicans at Cavs
When: 7 pm Eastern
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Television: Fox Sports Ohio
The Pelicans are off to a solid 3-2 start this season. They beat the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night, thanks to a late bucket by Anthony Davis -- who is playing really well early in his third NBA season. Davis is averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks (!!!) per game. He's leading the league in both rebounds and blocks per game. Oh, and he's fifth in scoring. No big deal.
New Orleans features a starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Davis, and Omer Asik, with Ryan Anderson contributing off of the bench. It's a lineup that looks pretty intriguing on paper, and so far, it's been working for them.
The Cavs, meanwhile, are still working out the kinks. They did play their best offensive game of the season on Friday, paced by a 22 point, 11 assist, seven rebound performance by LeBron James. He looked more energized on both ends than he had in the team's first four games, but we're still waiting to see a truly vintage LeBron performance from him. Perhaps tonight will be the night. He did say that he owes us one.
Can't wait to get back on our home floor and see our fans Monday night. By the way I owe y'all one. #TheLand #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 8, 2014
After tonight's game, the Cavs will be off until Friday, when they will be in Boston.