It's once again NBA Championship or bust for the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the future of Kyrie Irving is in doubt, the Cavs are once again among the NBA champion favorites. With the league releasing the full schedule Monday night, the top games involving the Cavs are listed below.
You can be sure this will change if/when Irving is dealt. Once that happens, that matchup vaults to the very top. We also tried to avoid repeating the same teams over and over, so there's plenty of variation. Primetime games were weighted more heavily, which is why the 76ers-Cavs game didn't make the list. Here are the top 10 games the Cavs will play in the 2017-18 regular season.
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10. vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 8 p.m. ET, Dec. 14th, ESPN
Those LeBron to Los Angeles rumors could pick up during this week, as the Lakers visit for a TNT game. On the bright side, at least the Cavs don't visit the Lakers this year. It ranks as the last one on the list because the Lakers aren't a good team.
9. at Toronto Raptors - 8 p.m. ET, Jan. 11th, TNT
This the Raptors' game that makes the list. It's on TNT and part of a tricky week for the Cavs (see below). On the road, the Cavs will get a test.
8. vs. Washington Wizards - 8 p.m. ET, April 5th, TNT
Outside of a game against the Nets, this is the last Eastern Conference game for the Wizards and Cavs. That means there's the risk of the conference being decided, but it's more likely at least one of these teams is fighting for seeding. Washington is one of the top threats to Cleveland this year.
7. at San Antonio Spurs - 8 p.m. ET, Jan. 23rd, TNT
The Spurs and Cavs also play in the penultimate game of the year, but that is too likely to be a rest game for one or both teams. Instead, the primetime game on TNT in January gets the nod. The Spurs are too good to not get at least one spot here.
6. at Oklahoma City Thunder - 8 p.m. ET, Feb. 13th, TNT
Paul George was *this close* to being on the Cavaliers. Instead, he's on the Thunder this year. This is the second matchup for the Thunder and Cavs, but the road game gets the nod. Especially since it's part of the brutal two games over three days the Cavs have. Hopefully this isn't the case, but this could be a LeBron rest game.
5. at Boston Celtics - 3:30 p.m. ET, Feb. 11th, ABC
This is the last Celtics-Cavs matchup of the regular season, which means it will carry some added weight. It's a road game and the Celtics should be playing well by this point in the year.
4. at Houston Rockets - 8 p.m. ET, Nov. 9th, TNT
This is the first look at the new-look Rockets for the Cavs. Houston now has LeBron friend Chris Paul on the roster, but will the Rockets be clicking at their maximum level less than a month into the year? Maybe not, but it should be a fun matchup.
3. vs. Boston Celtics - 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 17th, TNT
What a way to start the season. It's the very first game of the year and it's the Cavs vs. the Celtics. This should be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals and it gives us our first look at Gordon Hayward.
2. vs. Golden State Warriors - 8 p.m. ET, Jan. 15th, TNT
We're going to mention the other matchup between these two next, but the Cavs' home game against the Warriors take second place. It's Cavs' fans lone chance to see the Warriors, save for a potential Finals matchup.
1. at Golden State Warriors - 3 p.m. ET, Dec. 25th, ESPN
This can't be a surprise at all. It's the premier Christmas Day game, featuring the two best teams in the NBA. The expectation once again is that this will be a preview of the NBA Finals.
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