NBA Matchups: February 20

The NBA jammed the B2Bs after the break, so we’ll have a lot to talk about on the Injury Show. There’s also a ton of tanking going on. I hit on some of it here, and we’ll talk through more of it later.

CLE @ CHA | IND @ WAS | UTA @ MEM | MIA @ ATL | DAL @ MIN | MIL @ NOP | BKN @ OKC | LAC @ LAL | DEN @ POR

Cleveland Cavaliers (back end) at Charlotte Hornets (back end)

Team Totals: Cavs 119.5, Hornets 113

Injury Report: Both teams on a B2B

Cavs projected starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Hornets projected starters: LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner

Atkinson quotes (practice): Said it was weird being back at practice and it should be weird, said they were able to focus on some key areas of improvement, said Harden talked a lot during their film session, said Dean and Mobley are trending toward playing, said Strus is still not doing contact, said Wade and Mobley could have limits on them, said Mobley and Wade “did everything” in practice, said they want Mobley to roll to the rim along with some spacing.

Lee quotes (post game): Said they were better at slowing down Jalen Johnson last game, said LaMelo continues to grow and he’s able to make an impact on defense, said Miller has been making a leap on both ends, said the break will be good despite how they’re playing so well this month.

Stats and Notes: 

*These two teams are clicking on offense with the Cavs ranking first and the Hornets second in the last 15 games. The Cavs have crushed in their three games with James Harden, and that feels pretty sticky despite an easy schedule (Wizards, Nuggets, Kings). Their on-ball guys should be in a good spot with the Hornets not doubling too much, while it may be tougher to score inside against the Hornets with the way they hit the boards. We’ll see if the Cavs get Evan Mobley for this one in a B2B, and their defense was really getting on track before his injury. The Cavs have been struggling on the boards a bit lately, and Mobley should help there. They are also an elite on-ball defense with Mobley’s impact. The Hornets’ offense has been sputtering a bit lately with three awful showings in the halfcourt over their last five. They still own the offensive glass to buoy their offense overall, and they should have some success there. 

*The matchup sets up pretty well for the Cavs’ primary scorers. They also didn’t have to play too much last night against the Nets, and James Harden has been cutting into the handling role of Donovan Mitchell. Still, it’s a favorable matchup for those guards.

*Evan Mobley has a good chance to sit, which would open things up for Jarrett Allen. The matchup isn’t ideal with the Hornets still rebounding well in the Ryan Kalkbrenner minutes.

*In a B2B, it’s tough to get excited about the Hornets. Brandon Miller has a bit more of a minutes ceiling to make him the most attractive option. It’s a really tough matchup for LaMelo Ball with Dean Wade and Jaylon Tyson on him.

Great matchups: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell

Good matchups: Brandon Miller

Bad matchups: LaMelo Ball, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Grant Williams (if Mobley in)

Indiana Pacers (back end) at Washington Wizards (back end)