CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have been chasing consistency throughout this disappointing season.
Winning during the second night of a back-to-back on Dec. 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans would represent progress for the Cavs. The Pelicans have one of the worst records in the NBA, yet they’re on a five-game winning streak.
The Cavs snapped a three-game losing streak on Dec. 22 with a 139-132 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Although Cleveland’s offensive production was encouraging, its defense remained lackluster.
Tip-off for Cavs (16-14) versus Pelicans (8-22) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Check back here for updates throughout the game.
Below is some pregame information.
After the Cavs beat the Hornets on Dec. 22, point guard Darius Garland said he planned to play in consecutive games for the first time this season as he works his way back to full strength after undergoing toe surgery in June.
The Cavs listed Garland as questionable to face the Pelicans due to a new injury — a left quadriceps contusion. Coach Kenny Atkinson said Garland would test his quad in warm-ups to determine whether he would play.
About 45 minutes before tip-off, the Cavs announced Garland is available to face the Pelicans.
Darius Garland provides injury update after Cavs lose to Bulls. Video
Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland provides an update on his surgically repaired toe after scoring 35 points in a loss to the Bulls. Here’s video.
The Cavs have ruled out six players against the Pelicans. They are point guard Lonzo Ball (left knee injury management), forward Evan Mobley (left calf strain), small forward Max Strus (left foot surgery), forward/center Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract) and forward Luke Travers (two-way contract).
The Cavs announced they will start the following players against the Pelicans: Guards Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill, forward Dean Wade and center Jarrett Allen.
Merrill returned from a 14-game absence caused by a right hand sprain on Dec. 22 and came off the bench against the Hornets. Now he’s back in the starting lineup. The Cavs initially announced Jaylon Tyson would start against the Pelicans, but they later swapped Tyson with Merrill.
The Pelicans ruled out wing Herb Jones (right ankle sprain), guard Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), center Hunter Dickinson, (two-way contract) and guard Trey Alexander (two-way contract).
The Pelicans also listed guard Jordan Poole (left ankle soreness) as questionable to face the Cavs. Later, the Pelicans ruled out Poole.
The Cavs will visit the New York Knicks at noon on Dec. 25 for one of the NBA’s five games on Christmas Day. The nationally televised game can be viewed on ABC and ESPN.
Unlike the Cavs, the Knicks have been living up to the hype this season. Entering Dec. 23’s games, the Knicks were 20-8 and second in the Eastern Conference.
The local TV broadcast of the Cavs-Pelicans game on Dec. 23 can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.