Cavaliers
The Cavaliers followed up a confidence-building win over Indiana with a flat performance at home on Wednesday, falling 122-110 to the Trail Blazers.
Cleveland is now 13-10, a far cry from last season’s 64-18 powerhouse, and Donovan Mitchell is not thrilled with the inconsistency.
Still, he is trying to keep the temperature down.
“Concern is a scary word to use with you guys,” Mitchell told reporters after the loss. “I don’t want to use it. It’s upsetting, but there’s room for growth. I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, the sky’s falling and we’re panicking.’
“We have to play better. We just have to be better on all accounts. I don’t really have another message than that.”
The Cavs have dropped four of five and have looked out of rhythm on both ends. Mitchell’s message makes it clear they know what needs fixing. Whether they fix it soon is a different story.
Pelicans
Trey Murphy III continues to draw interest from across the league, and for good reason. The Pelicans sharpshooter would command a massive return if New Orleans ever put him on the market. But that does not appear to be the plan.
Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints writes that the Pelicans view Murphy as a long-term core piece, not a trade chip. One source told ClutchPoints that any Murphy negotiation would start at a Desmond Bane-level package.
That means multiple first-round picks, a veteran contract, and a promising young player.
Translation. The Pelicans are not eager to move him.
Thunder
Oklahoma City will be without two key defenders again on Friday.
Luguentz Dort will miss his second straight game with a strained adductor, according to Clemente Almanza of Thunder Wire. Dort already missed five games earlier this season due to an upper right trap strain.
Alex Caruso is also out as he deals with a quad contusion. Friday will mark his third straight absence.
The Thunder face the Mavericks, and they will again lean on their depth to keep their fast start rolling.
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