NBA 2018-19: Cleveland Cavaliers' predicted starting lineup against New Orleans Pelicans
The Cleveland Cavaliers cannot catch a break. They are currently on a 10-game losing streak, and their record stands at 8-33.
Their most recent loss was against the Indiana Pacers. who beat them 123-115. The Cavs fought their way back into the game but couldn't pull of a win. Jordan Clarkson led the Cavs with 26 points, but it wasn't enough.
Today, they have a chance to snap their losing streak and also redeem themselves, as they face the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans.
On Saturday, the Cavs suffered a huge loss as they went down to the Pelicans 133-98. The 35-point loss came after a blowout in their previous game.
Cavs coach Larry Drew had held a team meeting after their first blowout loss the day before, but the meeting had little effect in the Pelicans game. The embarrassing game was the second of a back-to-back weekend, after the 117-91 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Now, the Cavs have the Pelicans in another back-to-back. They would look at this as a chance to redeem themselves from the huge loss on Saturday.
In their last game against the Pelicans, Jordan Clarkson led the Cavs with 23 points. He tried to helped the short-handed Cavs with his contributions, but unfortunately for him it couldn't overcome their deficit.
The Cavs roster has suffered from various injuries during this losing streak. When they played the Pelicans, they had eight active players - their five starters and three bench players - for the entire game.
The Cavs missed players such as Matthew Dellavedova, Rodney Hood, David Nwaba and Ante Zizic. Alec Burks was inserted into the starting lineup after Hood's injury was announced; the Cavs were shorthanded and it played a part in their blowout loss against the Pelicans.
In their game against the Pacers, Dellavedova and Zizic returned. But the Cavs suffered another injury - Larry Nance Jr. played just five minutes this game. Nance was hurt after getting fouled while going up for a shot. As of now the injury is nothing serious, and he will be re-evaluated in New Orleans.
The numerous injuries have forced the Cavs to make lineup changes. If Nance is able to play, he'll likely be in the starting lineup. Otherwise, the Cavs would see another change in the starting five.
Predicted starting line-ups
Cavaliers: Collin Sexton (PG), Alec Burks (SG), Cedi Osman (SF), Channing Frye (PF) and Tristan Thompson (C)
Pelicans: Elfrid Payton (PG), Jrue Holiday (SG), Darius Miller (SF), Anthony Davis (PF) and Julius Randle (C)