Cavaliers vs. Clippers gamethread and mini preview
It’s Andre Drummond’s Cleveland debut.
The Cavs are not getting the full-on Clippers experience on Sunday, as both Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverly are out. Still, Cleveland is 5.5 point underdog and will have its hands full still.
But the result of Sunday’s game is not really the main attraction. What is most exciting is the debut of Andre Drummond, who is expected to start at center in his Cavs debut. How the Cavs use him, and how he fits and how he impacts the rest of the team, is one of the most pressing storylines for the Cavs over the final stretch of the season. Observing him against good bigs in Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell is a good place to start.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (13-39) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (36-16)
Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse — Cleveland, Ohio
When: 7:30 p.m.
Clippers blog: ClipsNations (But also be sure to check out 213 Hoops)
Betting odds: Clippers +5.5
Cavs status updates: Dylan Windler (OUT — leg), Ante Zizic (OUT — illness), Matt Mooney (two-way player on assignment), Dean Wade (two-way player on assignment)
Cavs expected starting lineups: Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Kevin Love, Andre Drummond
Clippers status updates: Kawhi Leonard (OUT — rest), Patrick Beverly (OUT — groin)
Clippers expected starting lineups: Landry Shamet, Paul George, Rodney MacGrudger, Patrick Patterson, Ivica Zubac