The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a little undermanned lately.
Fortunately, they could get two key players back in time for the most crucial regular-season game so far.
According to a report by team insider Evan Dammarell, Sam Merrill and Isaac Okoro are now listed as questionable for the home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That means they will likely be game-time decisions ahead of the showdown against a formidable Western Conference foe.
Per Dammarell, Emoni Bates, J.T. Thor, and Luke Travers will remain out.
Sam Merrill and Isaac Okoro are questionable and will likely be game-time decisions when the #Cavs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Emoni Bates, JT Thor and Luke Travers are out.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) January 7, 2025
Merrill provides some strong three-point shooting off the bench.
Okoro, on the other hand, is one of the best defensive players on the team.
Having him on the floor could be crucial against a crafty scorer like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder star is a master at drawing contact and going to the free-throw line.
Okoro is a disciplined defender with elite lateral quickness and quick hands.
He doesn’t tend to buy the pump fake as often.
That would also take plenty of pressure off Donovan Mitchell’s shoulders to try to stop Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Cavaliers are 2.5-point favorites ahead of tip-off.
The two best teams in the Association will square off in what could be a preview of the 2024-25 NBA Finals.
And while the Thunder won’t have Chet Holmgren on the floor, it will still be a major challenge for Kenny Atkinson, so the Cavs will likely approach this as a playoff game.
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