Cleveland Cavaliers are Rolling Heading Into Christmas Showdown
By Shane Phillips
@ShaneRantSports
Getty Images
Somebody better call Pat Riley and let the man know that it may just be a long and unpleasant Christmas for himself and the Miami Heat. As they prepare to host the return of estranged former teammate LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers have found their grove and are beginning to roll. The first part of the “Exes” tour began with the Cavs at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kevin Love got the better of his former team.
Love recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Big 3 combined for 73 points; Cleveland defeated Minnesota, 125-104. It was Love’s ninth double-double in a 15-game stretch in which the Cavaliers have gone 12-3. After a slow start to the 2014-15 NBA season and even some time spent below .500, Cleveland has begun to find a grove. Now at 17-10, James and the rest of his hometown team have their eyes set on the top of the East.
With Love sticking it to his former team impressively, it will be James’ turn to get his against his former employer. However, instead of an emotion-filled, high-tension game, it may just be a blowout in favor of Cleveland. Former member of the original Big 3, Chris Bosh, may be out with an injury and with an already depleted frontcourt, that is nothing but demoralizing news for Miami.
There could be a Christmas miracle and the Heat could obtain Josh Smith, but the likelihood is slim to none. It looks like the Heat may have to just have to take a hard jab on the chin because Cleveland has begun to fire on all cylinders while Miami has become more like an injury ward. Don’t be surprised if it is a Christmas Day massacre as the Cavs wrap up their Exes tour.
Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].
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