CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs (29-20) will try to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the Phoenix Suns (29-19) on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. Eastern.
Cleveland sits fifth in the East, just one game shy of the second seed, while Phoenix is the seventh seed in a competitive Western Conference.
This matchup features a familiar face on the Suns’ sideline: head coach Jordan Ott, who spent time on Kenny Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland. In his first season as a head coach, Ott has already earned a reputation for fostering a culture of work ethic and determination, guiding Phoenix to the league’s fifth-best defensive rating.
The Suns face a significant hurdle, however, with Devin Booker dealing with an ankle injury. Even so, Phoenix is coming off an impressive win over the Pistons, the top seed in the East, on Thursday. Dillon Brooks’ relentless defense and Grayson Allen’s sharpshooting make Phoenix a formidable opponent, particularly against a Cavaliers squad missing key pieces in Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Max Strus.
Phoenix also presents other challenges. The Suns rank fifth in offensive rebound percentage (33.5%) and second in steals per game (10.2).
For Cleveland, success will hinge on depth, discipline, knocking down shots from deep and maximizing opportunities in transition.
How to watch the Cavs: See how to watch the Cavs games with this handy game-by-game TV schedule.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns
Series: Final matchup in the regular season.
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center
When: 9 p.m. ET.
The point spread: Cavs minus-4.5; O/U 223.5
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio
Injury report
Cavs
Out:
Tristan Enaruna (G League – Two-Way)Darius Garland (right great toe; sprain)Evan Mobley (left calf; strain)Max Strus (left foot; Jones fracture surgery)Luke Travers (G League – Two-Way)
Suns
Out:
Devin Booker (right ankle)