The Cleveland Cavaliers are last in defensive rating, according to NBA.com. Cleveland’s allowing 20.1 points a game off turnovers (tied for 28th), more than 50.0 points a game in the paint (24th) and the third-highest field goal percentage in the restricted area (67.9 percent) behind only Houston (68.0 percent) and Detroit (70.0 percent). There’s been a couple surprising bright spots in the early going, principally the play of Tristan Thompson.
Many have taken note of his rebounding vigilance this season – he’s grabbed the second-most contested offensive rebounds in the league, and Tristan is tenth in overall percentage of available rebounds grabbed.