2020 Schedule Release

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Some Things to Watch for in the Season's Second Stanza

by Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG)
2/25/21 | Cavs.com

The Cavaliers officially close out the 2020-21 season’s first half next Wednesday when they welcome the Pacers to town. Following that contest, the Wine &amp; Gold don’t play at home again until St. Patrick’s Day against … appropriately … the Boston Celtics.

On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA announced the second half of the truncated slate, with the Cavaliers returning to action with three straight on the road and wrapping up with two away from home – with the season finale set for May 16 in Brooklyn.

As the Cavaliers close out the first half – traveling to Philadelphia and Houston before returning to face Indy next week – here’s a few tips to look for when J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad return to action for a date with Zion Williamson and the Pelicans on March 12 in New Orleans …

Collin Sexton heads into the end of the first half on a tear -- a possible preview for a torrid second stanza.
Sam Forencich via Getty Images

One Step Beyond -- The All-Star Break will give the young Cavaliers a chance to get healthy – especially at the power forward position. With even a relatively healthy roster, the Cavaliers were able to compete early in the first half. If they can get hot when squads return in mid-March, there are some dates to consider.

The first official Play-In Tournament is slated for May 18 through 21, with the Playoffs officially tipping off on May 22 (through July 22).

The Cavs have some work to do. As of this writing, Cleveland sits 3.5 games out of the 10th spot in the East – currently occupied by the Knicks (15-17). As of this writing on February 25, the East’s 7th through 10th seeds are: Charlotte (15-16), Miami (15-17), Boston (15-17) and New York.

Forward March -- The Cavaliers have an odd schedule in March – with a four-game homestand surrounded by roadies.

Cleveland begins the second half with a three-game trip that sends them to the Big Easy, Atlanta and South Beach before returning for home matchups against the Celtics, Spurs, Raptors and Kings.

The Wine &amp; Gold close out the month with their second West Coast roadie of the season – beginning with their first meeting of the season against the Bulls in Chicago. From there, it’s a back-to-back against the Lakers and Kings, followed by a visit to Salt Lake City to wrap up the month against the heavyweight Jazz.

The Cavs didn’t face the Kings at all last season and missed them again in the first half this year.

Road Warriors -- In April, the Cavaliers have a pair of three-game trips – traveling to Miami, San Antonio and OKC early in the month and to Charlotte, Washington and Chicago near the end.

After Cleveland wraps up their second roadie of April, they’ll have an extremely heavy schedule at home as the second half closes. From an April 28 matchup with the Magic to a May 12 meeting with the Celtics, the Cavaliers will play eight of nine at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before wrapping up with Washington and Brooklyn on the road.

First Look, Second Half -- Cleveland will get a look at some teams and marquee players it didn’t face at all in the first half.

The Cavaliers will face Luka Doncic and the Mavs in a road-home set on May 7 and 9, face the Kings twice in the same week in late March and take on the Wizards three times from April 25 through the end of the season.

The Wine &amp; Gold make up the Spurs home contest on March 9 and travel to San Antonio on April 5, host the Raptors twice before traveling to Canada - er, Tampa Bay - in late April and face Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in the first game after the break in the Big Easy before welcoming them to Cleveland on April 11.

The Cavs squeeze in all three meetings with Chicago (3/24, 4/17, 4/21) in the second half along with three battles against the Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat – the first two on South Beach before hosting Jimmy Butler and Co. on May 1 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

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Scouting the Second Half

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Key Matchups for the Wine & Gold in 2020-21

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With the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season schedule coming out late last week, get a quick look at all the teams the Wine &amp; Gold will face off with in the campaign's first 38 games.

The Hornets have reached the postseason just once since they became the Hornets again, but with a big draft – tabbing LaMelo Ball at No. 3 overall and Vernon Carey Jr. at the top of the second round – and another big free agent signing – luring Gordon Hayward from the Celtics – Charlotte is looking to make their move.

Last year, P.J. Washington was an All-Rookie Second Teamer, DeVonte Graham was one of the league’s most improved players and Youngstown native Terry Rozier showed that he could be the man.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 12/23

Blake Griffin was limited to just 18 games last season and the Pistons won just 20. Andre Drummond is now a Cavalier. Things are changing in Motown, and the Pistons come into the season feeling optimistic about their group of young guns.

Detroit snagged crafty international combo-guard Killian Hayes with the 7th overall pick and got rugged forward Saddiq Bey a dozen picks later. On the veteran end, Derrick Rose goes into his 12th season, coming off a campaign averaging 18.1ppg off the bench.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-2  |  2020-21 Home: 1/27 | 2020-21 Away: 12/26

The Sixers didn’t make a ton of roster changes in the offseason, but they really didn’t have to. Their problem hasn’t been talent; it’s been getting it to translate into postseason success. Enter Doc Rivers, looking for redemption after a frustrating end in L.A.

The Sixers tweaked things with the additions of Dwight Howard and Seth Curry, but essentially Doc will try to get Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons, one of the best two-way players in the game, to get Philly past the Second Round for the first time in 20 years.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-3  |  2020-21 Home: 2/27 | 2020-21 Away: 12/27

The Knicks would consider getting to the Second Round pretty sweet, last having reached the Playoffs in 2012-13, with J.R. Smith as their second-leading scorer. But after seismic changes in the front office – with Leon Rose taking over as team president – at head coach – bringing in Tom Thibodeau – and big Draft night, getting Brooklyn native Obi Toppin without having to trade up from No. 8.

New York will now try to build from a young core that already includes Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and last year’s top pick, R.J. Barrett. Mix in veterans Julius Randle and Austin Rivers and maybe this is the year the Knicks finally get back to the postseason.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-3  |  2020-21 Home: 12/29, 1/15 | 2020-21 Away: 1/29

Speaking of coaching changes, the Pacers made the Playoffs in each of the last five postseasons (but were swept out in three of them) and made a coaching change, replacing Nate McMillan with former Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren.

Victor Oladipo was limited to just 19 games last year and Domantas Sabonis didn’t play in the Bubble. That shortened Indiana’s postseason run, but it did allow T.J. Warren to emerge as the squad’s leading scorer.

The issue for Indiana now is getting it back all together healthy. Add Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon to the mix and the Pacers could re-emerge as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-2  |  2020-21 Home: 3/3 | 2020-21 Away: 1/21

The Hawks seem like a team ready to make their move.

Trae Young proved to be a piece to build around and John Collins has been a revelation in just his third year.  Last year’s class – DeAndre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Bruno Fernando – had solid but not spectacular rookie seasons. And last month, the Hawks beefed up in the middle, drafting shot-blocking big man Onyeka Okongwu.

But this offseason, the Hawks fortified that youth movement, bringing in Rajon Rondo, off his second NBA title, along with Tony Snell, Danilo Gallinari and emerging young vet, Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-0  |  2020-21 Home: 2/23 | 2020-21 Away: 1/2

Steve Clifford proved his coaching chops once again last season, taking Orlando back to the postseason and giving the Bucks a series once it got there. But aside from inking veteran scorer Eric Gordon, they were awfully quiet in the offseason and the gap between the Magic and their in-state, interdivisional rivals to the south is beginning to grow.

The Magic still boast one of the best big men tandems in the East in Nikola Vucevic and Eric Gordon and hope that Mo Bamba and Markelle Fultz begin to fulfill their draft promise. Evan Fournier remains one of the more underrated 2-guards in the Conference and is coming off a career year and Jonathan Isaac continues his gradual improvement.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-3  |  2020-21 Away: 1/4, 1/6

It’s not easy to crack the top of the Playoff picture out West, but the young Grizzlies are definitely knocking on the door. With back-to-back bumper crops in the past two Drafts, Memphis only needs to nurture their growth.

Last year, explosive point man Ja Morant won Rookie of the Year and his teammate Brandon Clarke earned All-Rookie First Team honors. Jaren Jackson Jr. has multiple All-Star appearance potential and Dillon Brooks – who fell the 45th overall pick in 2017 – emerged as the squad’s second-leading scorer.

Add savvy big man Jonas Valanciunas to the mix – along with the arrival of Justise Winslow – and the Grizz should continue to make noise at the Grindhouse.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/11

At this point, the Bucks are now in the ‘where-do-we-go-from-here’ stage of their saga. They have the league’s current MVP and Defensive Player of the Year – Giannis Antetokounmpo – and were easily the most dominant regular season squad over the past two years. But in each season, they’ve fallen short.

The Greek Freak led the Bucks to the Conference Finals two years ago, but Miami stunned them in the Second Round last season. The veteran-heavy Bucks didn’t make many significant offseason moves, other than inking Bryn Forbes and Torrey Craig as a free agents.

Otherwise, it’s much the same in Milwaukee – relying on veterans like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVicenzo and Kyle Korver.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-3  |  2020-21 Home: 2/5, 2/6 | 2020-21 Away: 1/9

Utah is another team out West that falls into the category of needing to take that next leap into the upper strata of the Conference – with Quin Snyder’s squad reaching the postseason in each of the past four seasons but not getting past the Second Round in any of them.

The Jazz still boast a pair of superstars – one on each end of the floor. Donovan Mitchell, who topped the 20.0ppg plateau again, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who earned First Team honors again last year.

If Mike Conley can stay healthy through the season and the newly re-signed Jordan Clarkson simply does his thing, the Jazz might finally make their move out West.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/12

The Wizards (and Rockets) definitely made the biggest splash of the offseason – swapping All-Star guards, John Wall – who hasn’t played a game since Christmas 2018 – for Russell Westbrook – coming off a seemingly rocky stint in Houston.

With Wall’s yearlong absence, Bradley Beal had a career year – averaging 30.5ppg in 2019-20. Now the Wizards will try to build around him and their young pieces, including All-Rookie Second Teamer Rui Hachimura and this year’s top pick – 19-year-old Deni Avidja, who they snagged with the 9th overall pick last month.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-1  |  2020-21 Away: 1/17, 1/18

If there’s a big ticket in the East this season, it’s in Brooklyn, where the superstar pairing of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will finally come to fruition. For a little extra spice, they’ll be coached by future Hall of Famer, Steve Nash.

The Nets were impressive without either star last year – getting solid performances from some of their bright young guns like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LaVert, Jarrett Allen and our old friend, Joe Harris, who inked a tasty contract this offseason.

Brooklyn also imported some solid veterans to shore up the squad, including Jeff Green and Landry Shamet.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/20, 1/22

Even if the Knicks don’t take a step up, the Atlantic Division looks to be a powerhouse in the Conference this year, with the Nets, Raptors, Sixers and this squad – the Celtics – all entering the season with Championship aspirations.

Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons last year before finally falling to Miami. But they added to their young core this offseason, including signing longtime Cavalier Tristan Thompson as a free agent.

Add Tristan to a mix that already includes Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and All-Defensive First Teamer Marcus Smart – along with up-and-comers like Grant Williams, Robert Williams and potentially Aaron Nesmith – and you’re looking at a team that can win it all.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-4  |  2020-21 Away: 1/24

The rich got richer in Tinseltown, with the World Champs poaching the league’s top Sixth Man from their cross-town rivals – inking Montrezl Harrell and boosting an already-loaded squad.

As big as the arrival of Harrell is – joining LeBron and the newly re-signed Anthony Davis – it might not be the Lakers’ most significant. That very well could be Dennis Schroeder, who joins L.A. after a strong season in Oklahoma City. But the Champs didn’t stop there, adding rock-solid veterans Wesley Matthews and Marc Gasol.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/25

Since reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first and only time in franchise history in 2003-04, the Timberwolves have made just one postseason appearance, dropping a ‘gentleman’s sweep’ to the Rockets in 2018. Do they finally have the weapons to get back there?

Karl-Anthony Towns is a two-time All-Star and D’Angelo Russell is coming off his first appearance, giving the T-Wolves a solid foundation. And they’re obviously hoping this year’s top overall pick, dynamic guard Anthony Edwards, will reach plenty of midseason classics of his own. Jarrett Culver, last year’s top pick, would like to build off a steady rookie season.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 2/1 | 2020-21 Away: 1/31

After coming up short of expectations in the Bubble this fall, Tyronn Lue moves up into the head coaching spot, replacing Doc Rivers at the helm. But aside from the aforementioned Montrezl Harrell’s departure for the Lakers, but the Clips essentially stood pat.

Of course, Kawhi Leonard is one of the game’s greatest two-way players and Patrick Beverly, one of its best individual defenders. The Clippers picked up Luke Kennard in a three-team deal to fill the scoring void and Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka for veteran leadership, trying to make the franchise’s first trip to the Finals.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-2  |  2020-21 Home: 2/3 | 2020-21 Away: 2/14

Every year, there’s sexy team pick entering the upcoming season – and this year that team is the Suns, who made an incredible Bubble run to end last season and now feel they’re close enough to compete that they dealt for future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in the offseason.

The pairing of scoring machine Devin Booker and 2018’s top pick DeAndre Ayton proved to be an excellent tandem as the Suns found their identity late last year. Cameron Johnson is a solid long-range threat and Dario Saric has averaged double-figures in all four seasons in the league. And this fall Phoenix nabbed one of college hoops premier defenders in Jalen Smith.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-0  |  2020-21 Away: 2/8

Mike Malone’s deep young squad comes into this season after one of the most incredible postseason runs in recent memory – becoming the first team to overcome 3-1 deficits in back-to-back Playoff series, reaching the Conference Finals before falling to the eventual Champs.

The Nuggets didn’t tinker much in the offseason, and that’s because they didn’t have to. They’re already stacked with accomplished talent like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Will Barton. And that doesn’t even account for talented players who’re even younger – like Michael Porter Jr., Monte Morris and Bol Bol.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-0  |  2020-21 Away: 2/10

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A Team-by-Team Look at the 2020-21 Schedule

Cavs.com

Some Things to Watch for in the Season's First Half

by Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG)
12/5/20 | Cavs.com

Normally, the NBA schedule release rolls around in August, giving everyone time to get their heads together for the odyssey. If you’ve put in enough seasons, it reads like a roadmap.

But like everything else in these times, this year’s schedule – released eight days before Cleveland’s first preseason contest – feels like a journey into the unknown.

The first half of the 72-game slate was announced on Friday – with the Wine &amp; Gold opening at home against LaMelo Ball and the Hornets a week from Wednesday and wrapping up on Wednesday, March 3 against the Pacers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Between those two dates, things could remain fluid as the league navigates the new world altered by the global pandemic. From where we stand, however, here’s are some things to keep an eye on as you prepare for the campaign’s first half …

Larry Nance Jr. begins his third full season with his hometown squad.
David Liam Kyle via Getty Images

Big Name Games -- While it’s not certain what fan guidelines will be, fans won’t be able to get too up close and personal with some of the league’s top dogs.

But some of the big names to roll into Cleveland in the first half include our old friend, LeBron James and his World Champion Lakers on January 25, their crosstown rivals – Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers – on February 3. The league’s most dynamic offensive weapon, James Harden, and his Rockets come to town on February 24 and a player his team hopes to become a dynamic offensive weapon – top pick Anthony Edwards and his Timberwolves roll in on February 1.

Some of the East’s heavy hitters who roll through town during the first 38-game stretch include another old friend – Kyrie Irving, who may or may not play when he, Kevin Durant and the Nets come to Cleveland for a two-gamer on January 20-22. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Doc Rivers’ Sixers visit on December 27 and Cleveland hosts a Friday-Saturday back-to-back against the Greek Freak and his Bucks on February 5-6.

The Cavs also face R.J. Barrett, Obi Toppin the Knicks three times in the first half of the season – five times, including the preseason – making their first visit to Cleveland on December 29, second on January 15.

The Open Road -- The Cavaliers have two long trips scheduled for the first half – one, their annual West Coast junket, another, an odds-and-ends roadie to tip off 2021.

J.B. Bickerstaff’s guys hit the road right after the New Year, beginning with a visit against Trae Young and the Hawks (1/2) followed by two straight against the Magic in Orland (1/4-6) followed by a trip to the Grindhouse in Memphis (1/7) before closing out in Milwaukee (1/9).

The West Coast trip is a tough five-gamer – beginning against the new-and-improved Suns in Phoenix on February 8, followed by stops in Denver (2/10) and Portland (2/12), closing out he trip with a back-to-back against the Clippers (2/14) and Warriors (2/15).

Home for the Holidays -- Before the Wine &amp; Gold hit the road for that trip out West, they at least get a break before they do – starting with three of the first five at home.

The young Cavaliers play 10 of 17 on the road in January but make up for it in February – when they’ll get a pair of nice four-game homestands, February 1-6 – closing out with that back-to-back visit from the Bucks.

Cleveland is on the road for New Year’s Eve (at Indiana), in Washington for the second half of a back-to-back on MLK Day (1/18) and visiting the Clippers on Valentine’s Day (2/14).

2020-21-schedule-tips

2020-21 Schedule Tips

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CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced the First Half of the 2020-21 NBA regular season schedule presented by SeatGeek, the official ticketing partner. The season tips off on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. ET. This marks the first time Cleveland will tip off the season at home since 2017-18 and 13th time in the past 17 seasons. The Cavaliers are slated to play 38 games in the First Half schedule, including 19 home contests. Cleveland will also host six weekend dates at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse comprised of three Friday games (Jan. 15 vs. New York, Jan. 22 vs. Brooklyn and Feb. 5 vs. Milwaukee), one Saturday game (Feb. 6 vs. Milwaukee) and two Sunday games (Dec. 27 vs. Philadelphia and Feb. 21 vs. Oklahoma City).

Highlights of the home schedule in the First Half of the season include a visit from the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 25 and a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 3. Cleveland will host the Brooklyn Nets (Jan. 20 and Jan. 22) in consecutive games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, as well as back-to-back home meetings against the Milwaukee Bucks (Feb. 5 and Feb. 6). During the 19-game road schedule of the First Half, the Cavaliers will play several outings during the holidays with matchups against Indiana Pacers on Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve), Washington Wizards on Jan. 18 (MLK Day) and Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day).

Details regarding fan access, capacity and health and safety protocols will be released separately today.

Other ‘stats’ on the First Half of the 2020-21 schedule include:

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Cavaliers Announce First Half of 2020-21 NBA Regular Season Schedule Presented by SeatGeek

When the Cleveland Cavaliers 2020-21 regular season begins at home on December 23rd versus the Charlotte Hornets there will be a number of procedures, protocols and technologies in place designed to keep the very limited number of fans in attendance healthy, safe and comfortable to enjoy their gameday experience at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Over the past several months, the Cavaliers in collaboration with the NBA have worked closely with the Cleveland Clinic, the City of Cleveland, the State of Ohio, as well as industry leading venue consultants and partners to devise a comprehensive return-to-venue plan that prioritizes health and safety. This plan currently includes a state-restricted, reduced seating limit of 300 fans per game. The limited amount of tickets for each home game will be made available to family and associates of players and coaches. Within the initial 300-fan limit, there will also be a small inventory for members of Wine &amp; Gold United (the team’s official season ticket-based year-round membership club), as well as other team partners to begin the season. The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse continue to work closely with state and local officials and others regarding the timing and conditions that will warrant any appropriate expansion of these conditions for fan access and capacity.

For the two home preseason games slated for December 12th and 14th vs. the Indiana Pacers, there will be no fan access at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. This will be done in order to take every initial precaution related to health and operational protocols and processes and in relation to the current health and safety advisories that run through December 17th. The Cavaliers will be communicating directly with Wine &amp; Gold United members and partners in the coming days regarding their ability to attend home games during the first half of the season.

The Cavaliers return-to-venue plan comes following the facility receiving third-party certification and rating by both the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) and the WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for its proactive and progressive initiatives to help protect the health and safety of all those who visit. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the first sports and entertainment venue in the state of Ohio, and was one of the first in the nation, to achieve these industry-leading certifications and ratings. The plan has also been thoroughly reviewed and endorsed by the Cleveland Clinic.

“We are thrilled to have Cavaliers basketball back inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and look forward to treating any fans and guests in attendance to an exceptional home game experience in a safe, healthy and comfortable environment,” said Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO Len Komoroski. “We have the utmost confidence in our deep level of preparation and the health and safety measures in place, which have been reviewed by local health authorities, certified by leading venue consultants, and endorsed by the Cleveland Clinic. While this remains a journey, it is an important starting point for us with very limited fan access. At the same time, we hope access can grow over the course of the season as the associated health and safety landscape evolves and improves.”

In addition to a reduced attendance limit and appropriate social distancing measures, health and safety protocols include required face masks; contactless mobile ticketing and cashless purchases; thorough cleaning and disinfecting procedures throughout the venue and much more.

Reopening health and safety measures include:

Additional information regarding ticketing, as well as protocols and procedures will be sent directly to attendees of each home game. All Cavalier games this upcoming season will be broadcast on WTAM 1100 AM and WMMS 100.7 FM radio, as well as WNZN 89.1 FM Spanish radio, and FOX Sports Ohio TV.

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Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Announce Health and Safety Protocols and Procedures for Start of 2020-21 NBA Season

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