The Cleveland Cavaliers are 8-0, which is their best start in decades, and they will look to make it nine straight wins to start the season when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
However, they will have to go to battle without a couple of key players.
Forwards Max Strus, Dean Wade and Emoni Bates will not play against New Orleans, per Evan Dammarell.
Emoni Bates, Max Strus and Dean Wade are out for the #Cavs on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Caris LeVert (knee) and Jaylon Tyson (hip) are questionable and are probably game-time decisions.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) November 5, 2024
Wade has started all seven of his games this season, and he has provided Cleveland with length and size at both forward positions.
He isn’t shooting well, but he is one reason why the team has been so impressive defensively and has allowed 110 points or fewer in five of its eight games.
Strus was a regular starter for the Cavs last season, and he hasn’t played yet this season due to an ankle sprain he sustained just prior to the start of the schedule.
Bates, a 6-foot-10 forward who is on a two-way contract, averaged 2.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 15 games for the Cavs last season.
Even though the Cavs are 8-0 and look to be significantly improved offensively, both in terms of efficiency and pace, plenty of people still don’t consider them to be true championship contenders.
Their schedule to start this season has been somewhat favorable, and therefore it will likely take several more weeks to get a true read on them and their chances of going all the way this spring.
But right now, things are looking promising for a team that has seemed to have a bright future for a couple of years.
NEXT: Analyst Wants To See More From 1 Cavs Player Before Starting To Believe
