Game Preview
The red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a four-game winning streak and look to extend their dominance at home when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Cavaliers have been a juggernaut this season, posting an impressive 24-4 record and winning at an 85.7 percent clip. Their stifling defense has been a driving force, allowing just 109.9 points per game while forcing nearly 10 steals and swatting away over 4 blocks per contest.
Offensively, the Cavaliers have been lighting up the scoreboard, averaging a blistering 121.7 points on 50.6 percent shooting from the field and a 40.5 percent mark from beyond the arc. Their balanced attack is fueled by a 28.4 assist average, showcasing their unselfish play. Over their last five games, the Cavaliers have been even more dominant, winning 4 out of 5 while outscoring opponents by nearly 16 points per game and grabbing almost 50 rebounds on average.
In stark contrast, the Utah Jazz have struggled mightily this season with a dismal 7-20 record. While their 110.2 points per game is respectable, their porous defense has been their Achilles' heel, surrendering 119.3 points per contest. The Jazz have had issues taking care of the ball, coughing it up a whopping 17.8 times per game. However, they've shown signs of life recently, winning their last two games and holding opponents to a shade below 120 points during that stretch.
With the Cavaliers firing on all cylinders and the Jazz still searching for consistency, the stage is set for another statement win by the home team. Cleveland's stingy defense and balanced scoring attack will likely prove too much for Utah to overcome, as the Cavaliers look to extend their winning ways and tighten their grip on the top of the standings.