Cup of Cavs: The five worst games on the Cavaliers schedule

Let’s start the week off right. Here are today’s Cleveland Cavaliers news and links.

The first sip

The program came out last Thursday. Tony took a look at five of the best matches on the programNaturally, that means someone has to look at some of the worst matches the schedule makers have given us.

The Cavs face the Toronto Raptors on October 23

Tony had this as one of the games to look forward toI totally disagree.

The Cavaliers have struggled to win against the Raptors since the end of the LeBronto era. Cleveland is 8-13 against Toronto since then. That includes a 2-9 record north of the border.

The Cavs also suffered more than their fair share of injuries against the Raptors, most notably Darius Garland (eye) on opening night at the start of the 2022-23 season and Jarrett Allen (finger) in March 2022.

The last thing you want to do is open your season with bad vibes.

Cavs vs. New Orleans Pelicans, November 20

Two-legged games are always tough. That’s especially true when the first leg is away to the defending champions you lost to in the playoffs. The game against the Boston Celtics is also their most important group stage game in the NBA Cup and is televised nationally.

The next night against the Pelicans could be a disappointment no matter what happens against Boston.

The Cavs face the Dallas Mavericks on January 3

Luka Dončić seems to be averaging a million points per game against the Cavs (somehow, that’s only 30.7). He’s always a tough guy to handle. Facing the Cavaliers on the final leg of a four-game road trip that will see them face the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers likely won’t be an exception.

The Cavs won both games against the Mavs last season thanks to two improbable victories. That could happen again. But it’s more likely that this team enters the game exhausted from a tough stretch on the road.

Cavs in Detroit, February 5

You know JB Bickerstaff will want his Pistons to get a win or two against his former team. Detroit’s best chance to do that will be tonight. The Cavs play the Celtics at home the night before and then head to Michigan.

At least the schedule makers allowed the Cavs to play the Celtics in their last two games.

Cavs vs. Sacramento Kings, March 19

The annual road trip to the MAC tournament is always tough. The toughest game of that stretch will be against the Kings on the second night of a back-to-back.

Sacramento is a good team no matter when you play them. But they might be the last team you want to play when you played in another city the day before, because of their fast pace.

Photo by NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images

Random Rider of the Day – Luther Rackley

Rackley was part of the Cavaliers’ inaugural team that won only 15 games. He played 74 games as a backup center, averaging 7.6 points per game. Rackley started the following season with the team, but was traded in November for draft picks. He played a combined five seasons in the ABA and NBA.

Rackley spent his post-playing career as a real estate broker, actor and teacherHe died in 2017 at the age of 71.

Links of the day