Mobley try to repeat Saturday’s performance against a strong Miami front line.
The Cavs are looking for their fifth straight victory.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (21-3) at. Miami Heat (10-10)
Where: Kaseya Center - Miami - FL
When: 6:00 p.m. - Sunday, Dec. 8
TV: Fanduel Sports Network Ohio, NBA League Pass
Line: Not yet set
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.
Cavs injury report from Saturday’s game: Isaac Okoro - OUT (knee), Max Strus - OUT (ankle), Craig Porter Jr. - OUT (illness), Emoni Bates - OUT (knee)
Expected Heat starting lineup: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith, Bam Adebayo
Heat injury report from Saturday’s game: Jimmy Butler - PROBABLE (knee), Pelle Larsson - QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Kel’el Ware - OUT (G League), Josh Christopher - OUT (G League)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join us as we react to all the action.
The Cavaliers are playing the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon. The Cavs have four days off before next Friday’s meeting with the Washington Wizards, but this game in Miami marks their sixth in ten days. It’s been a busy stretch.
The Cavs have played well during this run minus the poor showing against the Atlanta Hawks. That said, it’d be easy to lose focus when you’re playing the last game before some time off.
Meanwhile, the Heat are also playing the second night of a back-to-back as well. Both teams might not be their best selves.
Adebayo has understandably been a tough matchup for Mobley in the past. He’s one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA. He’s done a great job of using his strength to push Mobley off of his spots which has forced him to settle for shots outside of the restricted area more often than you’d like.
Mobley is coming off arguably the best game of his career as he put up 41 points in the win over the Hornets. He’s continually getting more comfortable with the three-ball as he went 6-8 from beyond the arc in the victory.
It’ll be interesting to see how this newer and improved version of Mobley holds up going against one of the best defensive bigs in the league. This matchup could go as far as deciding this game.
Mitchell has displayed an excellent feel for the game this week. Against the Boston Celtics, he took over in the fourth quarter when he needed to. He shot over the Denver Nuggets' poor perimeter defense as he hit as many threes as Denver did as a team that game (six). And he continually set up Mobley for his career-high 41-point game in the win over the Hornets on Saturday.
These are the type of performances you want to get from your team’s leader. We’ll see what this game requires from Mitchell.
