Cavs at Kings preview and gamethread

Sometimes the mantra of wins and lessons applies even when you are at the top of your game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost three games in a row. No this isn’t a nightmare you can wake up from, this is real life.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (56-13) vs Phoenix Suns (33-37)

Where: Footprint Arena – Phoenix, AZ

When: 10 pm EST

TV: FanDuel TV

Line: Cavs -8

Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Cavs injury report: Emoni Bates – OUT (G-League), Nae’Qwan – OUT (G-League), Luke Travers – OUT (G-League)

Expected Suns starting lineup: Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Kevin Durant, Nick Richards

Suns injury report: Grayson Allen – QUESTIONABLE (Injury/Illness), Bradley Beal – OUT (Hamstring), Jalen Bridges – OUT (G-League), Mason Plumlee – OUT (Quad), TyTy Washington Jr. – OUT (G-League)

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What to watch for

What are the lessons in this three-game skid?

A win against the Suns on Friday will not erase the concerns arising from this abnormal skid. The Cavaliers didn’t go on a losing streak against the elites, they lost to the Clippers, Kings, and Magic. The combined record of those teams is 106-102. The middle-of-the-pack losses are one factor, how the Cavs lost is what stands out to me.

This reminds me of an earlier skid when the Cavaliers were in the midst of another three-game skid against the Rockets (2x) and the Sixers. The Cavaliers had timely lapses in those games and struggled with late-game execution. Defensive intensity was also at the forefront of the narrative in those losses.

On paper, the Cavaliers should have had their way against the battered Kings and through the half, it appeared it was trending that way. Second-half collapses have plagued the Cavaliers through these losses.

The Cavaliers have been outscored to the tune of 43-61, 46-64, and 63-76 in the second half of their last three games. Shot variance plays a part in losses, the Cavaliers have had shots fall in their favor for 95% of the season. However, as the postseason looms, you do not provide future playoff opponents with material to use against you.

With less than a month left in the season, the Cavaliers just need to right the ship. How do they do that? Retain the hunger for excellence they possess, believe in what makes them an elite team, and cut down on self-inflicted wounds. I believe that the Cavaliers have beaten themselves more in this stretch than the winners of the last three contests.