TITLE: Cavaliers chase NBA Cup lifeline in Atlanta; Watson steps up for depleted Nuggets; Lakers unfazed by long-range drought
SLUG: cavs-nba-cup-atlanta-watson-nuggets-lakers-shooting
CONTENT:
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers visit the Atlanta Hawks on Black Friday for their final NBA In-Season Tournament group game, needing help to stay alive. Cleveland must beat Atlanta, hope Orlando defeats Detroit and count on Milwaukee to top New York to win Group A.
Through roughly the first quarter of the season, the Cavaliers sit fifth in the Eastern Conference and rank in the middle of the league in both net rating and offensive rating. Guard Donovan Mitchell has remained the constant, averaging 29.9 points and 5.5 assists over 17 games.
Atlanta, still without injured guard Trae Young, had won seven of 10 before a setback against Washington. The Cavaliers won the only previous meeting between the clubs on Nov. 2.
Denver Nuggets
Second-year wing Peyton Watson, who did not secure a rookie extension before the Oct. 23 deadline, is making his case ahead of restricted free agency, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported. With Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun expected to miss several weeks, Watson has started the past six games, averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.
His run includes career-best scoring nights of 32 points against New Orleans and 27 against Memphis. The 21-year-old is also shooting 40 percent from three-point range, a possible key to the contract he seeks.
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles is 13-4 despite ranking last in made three-pointers and 26th in three-point percentage. LeBron James, speaking after the club’s 10-for-38 showing in Utah, told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “Don’t react. It won’t last. We’re not worried about it. We got too many good shooters.”
Head coach JJ Redick offered a similar stance, noting that last season’s roster also started slowly from deep before finishing near the league middle.
Source: Hoops Wire
