Live Thread: Cavs vs. Blazers (#Resolute)

I swear I didn’t plan it this way (after all, I did lose my bet with Nate that this would transpire weeks ago), but it just so happens that my first Cavs game of the season in person will also be Isaiah Thomas’ first game ever in a Cavs uniform.

That’s right, the diminutive scoring machine who’s been sidelined with a hip injury since last May is finally returning to competitive basketball after months of determination and resolve. Granted, he’s reportedly coming off the bench… on a minutes restriction (guesstimates I’ve seen are in the 12-18 range)… and will likely look extremely rusty after such a long hiatus. To their credit, the Cavs are saying (and doing) all the right things with IT’s comeback. They’ve probably erred on the side of being overprotective rather than rush him back into action, even though they could have certainly used some scoring punch during this current down turn in the schedule. They’re also keeping him out of back to back situations for a while, which means he won’t be a factor in Wednesday’s game in his old stomping grounds at the TD Garden in Boston. Yet, he should be available (barring any sort of setback) for the rematch on February 11.

It will be interesting to see just how Coach Ty Lue incorporates his new weapon into the rotation tonight, knowing full well that coming off the bench will be a temporary situation. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from the dude who finished fifth in last season’s MVP race as the NBA’s third leading scorer. It’ll probably take some time for him to regain his full arsenal of offensive moves, and no doubt his shot will be a bit off. Still, the former 60th pick in the 2011 draft has made a career out of proving people wrong, so maybe he’ll quickly regain his penchant for instant offense to give the Cavs a boost just when they need it.

As mentioned, this will be my first in person game this season (I won’t be on the Live Thread much, but will try to bring some first-hand impressions to the recap), but actually the first game I’ve even watched in almost two weeks due to the holidays… so, I’ve missed most of the three game losing streak to end the year. The month of January hasn’t been particularly kind to the Cavs in years past, and 2018 is no exception with a tough five game road trip (four against above .500 teams) before the annual MLK showdown with the Warriors back home. It won’t be an easy task to work Isaiah into the rotation and get him up to speed during this challenging stretch… but, if he’s up for it, his added shot-making ability should help resolve the Cavs to a happier new year.

First, they’ve got to get past the Portland Trailblazers, who despite playing on the second night of a back to back after coming off of an overtime victory against the Bulls last night, should also be getting their starting PG, Damian Lillard, back after a five game absence. Lillard always seems to relish playing the Cavs, and Cleveland’s own CJ McCollum has been lighting it up lately (32 points in last night’s win). Let’s hope the Cavs have recovered from their Napa wine tour and get back to their winning ways.

Prediction: IT provides just the right kind of spark in a high scoring affair, as the Cavs put a resolute end to their losing streak… 124-119 over the Blazers.

Catch all the action on NBATV starting at 7pm EST (or grab a ticket and come find me at the Q… I’ll be wearing my newly minted IT3 jersey). GO CAVS!

***Late update… Kevin Love is now questionable for tonight’s game…***

Kevin Love was not at shootaround Tuesday. He stayed home with an illness. He is considered questionable for the game tonight vs POR

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 2, 2018