Pelicans at Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers look to build off their win over the Denver Nuggets when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to Quicken Loans Arena on Monday. LeBron James' second tour of duty with the Cavaliers has not started smoothy as they have lost three of their first five games while surrendering 100 or more points in each of their last four outings. Cleveland finished its Western road swing with a 1-2 record and hopes to turn its fortunes around with nine of its next 11 contests at home.
The Pelicans have won two games in a row following their impressive 100-99 victory over the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Anthony Davis' basket with 6.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winner and New Orleans turns it attention to beating the Cavaliers for the seventh time in its last eight tries. "Any win in the NBA is a good win," coach Monty Williams told reporters. "When you beat the defending champions on their floor, it feels good."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cleveland), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE PELICANS (3-2): Davis, who leads the NBA in rebounding (12.8) and blocks (4.4), has grabbed 10 or more boards in all but one game this season. Davis collected 27 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and four steals to help New Orleans secure its first win in San Antonio in over four years. Point guard Jrue Holiday added 15 points and a season-high 11 assists against the Spurs, and has dished out 20 helpers in his last two games.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (2-3): James notched his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 assists to lead seven players in double figures in the 110-101 victory over the Nuggets. "Whoever is the recipient of the good pass at the end can knock it down," James told reporters. "We stressed it from the beginning." Point guard Kyrie Irving dished out six assists versus Denver after finishing with none in the 102-100 loss to Utah on Nov. 5.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Cavaliers have dropped three consecutive games to the Pelicans.
2. Davis is fifth in the NBA in scoring at 24.4 points per game.
3. Cleveland PF Kevin Love has recorded three double-doubles in his first five games.