LeBron James and Kyrie Irving: Cavs Photo
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sporting Alert) — LeBron James is listed as a game-time-decision for the Cleveland Cavaliers in tonight’s NBA clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Game Time and Info
8:00 PM ET, December 11, 2014
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
Live TV Channel: TNT Network
Official Live Online Streaming: TNT Overtime
LIVE! – Box Score Here
James skipped the morning shoot around for the Cavs on Thursday to get treatment on his left knee after complaining about having soreness, the club reported.
Cleveland and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving are hopeful that the star forward will shake off what they described as “general soreness” for the road schedule against a Thunder team which is beginning to play well with the return of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
“It would be big piece missing if he doesn’t play, but hopefully [he does],” Irving said. “Right now, he’s in our lineup, and we can go get it tonight.
“It will be a good matchup for all of us. But if he can’t, then we’ll have to adjust and we’ll have to take it upon ourselves, our bench has to play big, including myself we all have to play bigger — just to fill that void if he can’t play.”
James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season, and he would be a massive loss if he doesn’t play for the Cavs.
However, Kevin Love thinks that if the 29-year-old doesn’t suit up on Thursday night, it would give an opportunity to someone else to step up for the Cavs.
“It’s another opportunity for somebody to step up,” said Kevin, who is averaging 17.4 points and 10 rebounds per game.
“We know what we lose in LeBron, and this will be a great opportunity to see ourselves against one of the best Western Conference teams, despite their record.
“But it’s just another opportunity, as I mentioned, for other guys to step up if he’s out. If not, we’ll go at full strength.”
The Cavaliers (13-7), which beat the Toronto Raptors 105-101 on Tuesday night, are on an eight-game winning streak and seek number nine.
They, however, will face an Oklahoma City side that is beginning to striving, following the return of its two key men.
The Thunder (8-13), which won three straight games and five of their last six, are coming off a 114-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
“We’re still trying to work some things out,” said Durant, who is averaging 22.0 points in his four games since returning from injury.
“You know, I’m sure a lot of people are expecting us to be back to playoff-type of basketball right now, but we’re just like any other team, just trying to continue to just build and keep getting better.”
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