Cleveland Cavaliers stumble in NBA power rankings amid road struggles
The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves at a pivotal moment in the season, characterized by a mix of impressive victories and frustrating defeats. This inconsistent performance has resulted in a slide to 17th place in NBA.com’s power rankings, marking a two-spot drop from their previous position at 15th.
Mixed Results Highlight Cavaliers’ Season
The Cavaliers recently showcased their potential with a standout victory against the San Antonio Spurs, igniting a 39-12 run to open the third quarter. However, this high point was overshadowed by disappointing losses, including a defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers and another setback against the Golden State Warriors, who managed to secure a win despite missing key players like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
As noted, “The Cavs got one of the league’s easiest pair of NBA Cup fill-in games, a trip to Washington on Friday and a home game vs. the Hornets two days later.” Their record is solid against teams below .500 in the Eastern Conference, boasting a perfect 7-0 mark. This includes a previous matchup in Washington, where they secured a dominant 33-point victory.
Road Woes Weighing on the Cavaliers
A significant area of concern for the Cavaliers has been their performance away from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. At home, the team boasts a respectable 9-6 record, but their struggles on the road are evident in their 5-5 record. This disparity raises questions about the consistency of their star players, who have not performed to their usual standards in away games.
Statistically, the Cavaliers are struggling to convert their opportunities when traveling. They currently rank last in the NBA for the percentage of road field goal attempts (21%) that come from the restricted area, a sharp decline from last season’s rate of 30.5%, where they placed 15th. Although Jarrett Allen has been sidelined for eight of the last nine games, he has played in eight of the Cavaliers’ ten road games. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley’s performance has also dipped, as only 27% of his road shots have been taken in the restricted area, a drop from 44% last season.
Looking Ahead: A Need for Progress
As the regular season progresses, there is still ample time for the Cavaliers to turn things around. While the current struggles are concerning, the team must focus on finding a path to improvement as the season unfolds. The upcoming games present an opportunity to solidify their identity and build momentum moving forward.
