The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ hold on homecourt advantage in the NBA Playoffs is a perilous one. They are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference but hold only a half-game lead over the New York Knicks and a one-game lead over the Orlando Magic.
If the Cavaliers want to hold onto that spot, they are going to have to start stringing together some victories. That is a much taller task when taking a look at their injury report for Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz because NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell is on it.
As shared by Cavaliers sideline reporter Serena Winters, Mitchell is not going to be playing tonight against his former team. He is listed as out for the game with left knee injury management.
He will be joining Isaac Okoro on the sidelines, who will be sidelined for his second consecutive game because of right great toe soreness. Mystery also revolves around the knee injury Dean Wade is dealing with, which is a blow to their frontcourt depth.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
The Cavaliers are likely exhibiting extreme caution with Mitchell, as Tuesday night is the first of a back-to-back set. They will play against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday for the third game of their five-game road trip and likely want him as fresh as possible for that game.
Having him in the lineup against the Suns, the better of the two opponents does make some sense. But, there is no such thing as a surefire victory in the NBA. Just ask the Boston Celtics, who lost to the Atlanta Hawks twice in a week.
Not having Mitchell in the lineup is far from ideal for the Cavaliers. They have struggled all season without him on the court, as Cleveland is 34-17 when he plays and 11-13 when he doesn’t suit up.
Things won’t get any easier for Clevland on this road trip as it ends with another back-to-back this weekend against the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. After that, Cleveland will finish up the regular season with a three-game homestand against the Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets.
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