Cavs fans can watch 31 games without DAZN this season

Cavaliers fans who want no part of DAZN won’t be completely shut out this season. They also won’t see the majority of the schedule.

A handy graphic compiled by RealCavsFans.com shows that 31 of Cleveland’s 82 regular-season games will be available without a DAZN subscription. That’s nearly 40 percent of the schedule.

Of those, 15 will be available completely free over the air through WOIO, WUAB and Rock Entertainment Sports Network, the Cavs announced Monday.

The other non-DAZN games will be carried nationally through ESPN, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video or NBA TV. Those options aren’t necessarily free, of course. They simply don’t require paying DAZN.

The schedule includes several appealing matchups, including home games against the Thunder on Nov. 2 and Warriors on Dec. 12. Cleveland’s season opener at Philadelphia will air on ESPN.

The Cavs moved their local broadcasts to DAZN after the collapse of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. Subscriptions begin at $19.99 per month, with a season pass available for $119.99.

Most respondents to an informal Hoops Wire poll were unhappy with the change, particularly the disappearance of most games from traditional cable.

Cavs CEO Nic Barlage has promised a significantly improved production, including more cameras, new graphics and enhanced technology. Austin Carr also will return as part of the pregame and postgame crew.

That may improve what fans see. It doesn’t necessarily make it easier for them to see it.

Thirty-one games without DAZN is certainly better than none. It still leaves 51.