After another tough loss last Saturday to the Hornets, the Cavaliers (1-2) will end their brief road trip tonight against the Mavericks.
The Cavaliers aren’t off to a great start so far this season. Turnovers have been their biggest problem. James committed 13 turnovers in the first three games, tied for the most in the league so far. Much of it can be attributed to adjusting to the new offense. James is used to bringing the ball up the floor and now he is setting up more inside and playing power forward.
Mo Williams played decent so fat but he acknowledge that he is still not comfortable with the new system:
“Personally, I’m just not there yet, I’m still trying to get comfortable,” Williams said. “I’m trying not to lose any sleep over it, tomorrow is a new day.”
The Mavericks have been watching the Cavaliers and will try to take advantage of the Cavaliers slow start.
“the early-season call might be advantageous to the Mavericks.” Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News said.
“Cleveland is 1-2 after Saturday’s loss in New Orleans, and it appears James is still getting used to his new supporting cast, highlighted by the off-season acquisition of point guard Mo Williams from Milwaukee. James had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds against the Hornets but shot just 6-for-20. Through three games, he is averaging 19.7 points, well off of his league-best 30 per game last season.”
But the Mavericks will not take James lightly, “The Mavericks know all to well about James’ outburst potential. He dropped 46 on them in March 2006.”
Unlike Cleveland, Dallas (1-1) has turned the ball over only 21 times in two games.
Also, Dallas bench is one of their best assets. Last season, their bench averaged 30.7 ppg, the ninth-best in the league. Cleveland bench averaged 26.1 points and ranked 25th in the league.
Nowitzki is averaging 21.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in his career against the Cavaliers.
James averaged 17 ppg versus Dallas last season.