Five Cavs games to look forward to

Cavs basketball is around the corner.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have revealed their schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season, including 16 nationally televised games. Let’s break down a handful of matchups that are worth marking on your calendar.

October 23 at Toronto Raptors

The season begins on the road in Toronto for a showdown with an old foe. While the Cavs and Raptors aren’t neck-and-neck in the standings anymore, the tension between these two teams is still felt.

Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should all feel like they have something to prove this season. Their first step towards doing so is taking care of business against the Raps. At the very least, we get to see Mobley square off against Scottie Barnes — who stole his Rookie of the Year award.

October 25 versus Detroit Pistons

Perhaps no opponent will be more familiar with the Cavaliers than the Detroit Pistons, now led by former Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

Bickerstaff spent three and a half seasons as the Cavalier coach, helping them bridge the gap from lottery team to playoff contender. His defensive instincts paired nicely with the Cavs’ personnel but Bickerstaff’s offensive limitations are what caused the Cavs to move on.

A regular season matchup between the Cavs and Pistons probably won’t be too exciting. But, it’s a chance for Bickerstaff to get back at his former employer — while the Cavs themselves can attempt to prove a point in their home opener. Either way, we’ll be watching.

October 30 versus Los Angeles Lakers

It’s always an event when the King comes home. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers come to Cleveland on — in a game no fan will want to miss. Especially, now that James is firmly in the final stages of his career.

There might not be many more opportunities to see James lace them up in Cleveland. While his Lakers squad isn’t in a position to compete for a title, they will remain one of the most entertaining teams strictly due to the pairing of James and Anthony Davis.

A matchup with LBJ is always personal for the Cavs — even if there’s no hard feelings anymore.

November 19 at Boston Celtics (NBA Cup)

Beating the team that previously ended your season is what every fan wants. It won’t heal the wound — but dealing the Boston Celtics a loss will still feel good. It will feel even better if it means bumping them out of the NBA Cup.

The Cavs have every reason to ramp up the intensity for this game. And if the wild meetings between these two teams in the past are worth anything, then the fans should be eagerly waiting for this one too.

Potential playoff frenzy in April

The final weeks of the season aren’t typically exciting. That is, unless you’re a team fighting for playoff position. The Cavs, Knicks and Pacers had their playoff standings decided on the final day of last season. That could be the case once again next year.

April 2 versus New York Knicks

April 10 at Indiana Pacers

April 11 at New York Knicks

April 13 versus Indiana Pacers

Cleveland plays New York and Indiana twice in the final month of the regular season. These games could have a huge effect on how the seedings shake out. They might even serve as a playoff preview between two potential opponents. In that case, battling the same squad this many times in a single month is a surefire way to form a rivalry.