The Cleveland Cavaliers are suddenly struggling having lost three of their last five games, including a 106-97 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks last night. They'll try to turn things around at home against the Phoenix Suns, who are coming off an overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (39-25)
G Kyrie Irving – 21.6 ppg, 5.2 apg
G J.R. Smith – 12.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
F LeBron James – 26.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 7.3 apg
F Kevin Love – 17.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 10.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Phoenix Suns (33-30)
G Brandon Knight –15.1 ppg, 5.0 apg
G Eric Bledsoe – 17.2 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.5 rpg
F Marcus Morris – 10.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg
F Markieff Morris – 15.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg
C Alex Len – 6.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg
What to watch for:
How much intensity will Cleveland play with?
During this recent rough stretch for the Cavs, they've lost because they haven't matched the intensity level of their opponent. Phoenix will be playing extremely hard because they're fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and if Cleveland continues to coast, they'll lose this game.
Prediction: Cavs win 107-100
Cleveland is angry after losing to the Hawks last night, so I don't think intensity will be a problem. The Suns will keep it close for most of the game, but Kyrie Irving and LeBron James will make the plays the Cavs need them to make down the stretch to win.
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