Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup 2021 Cavaliers Starting Lineup

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup Analysis

Betting on the Cavaliers in Ohio

For several seasons, the Cleveland Cavaliers rarely found themselves in conversations about NBA elite teams. During Cleveland's first 20 years in the NBA, the Cavaliers made it to a single Eastern Conference Final, losing to the Boston Celtics in six games. The Cavs started the 1990s with a little more success, making their way to another conference final, but again losing in six games, this time to the Chicago Bulls. Across the next 11 seasons, Cleveland would make four playoff appearances, winning a total of two first-round games during that span. However, in 2003, Cleveland drafted a local hero to change all that. The Cavaliers would still miss the playoffs during LeBron James' first two seasons in the league. However, they improved steadily, despite finishing 9th in the conference each year. The 2005-2006 season started a five-year consecutive playoff run. James' would multiple league Most Valuable Player Awards, but Cleveland would not win a title. In 2010, James exited Cleveland for South Beach and the Miami Heat. Cleveland's fortunes went south with their beloved star. Fans were both heartbroken and outraged. Four dismal seasons would follow. In 2015, James decided to return to his roots. Cleveland had built a respectable lineup the previous season, and with the world's best player on the court, Cleveland would make four consecutive appearances in the NBA finals, winning the city's first major sports championship in decades. LeBron James has left again, but there seems to be a deep core of Cavaliers' fans that still show enthusiasm for their team. As the Buckeye State nears a potential launch for Ohio sports betting, Cavs fans will soon be able to bet legally on their favorite team.

William Hill Ohio was one of many sportsbook operators keenly watching the developments in the state. Ohio legislative procedures allowed a pair of bills from 2019 to cross over into 2020. In May 2020, one of these important sports betting proposals shifted out of committee to the floor for a vote. HB 194 passed easily. There are a number of important questions still to be answered before online options such as William Hill could launch online betting. They have one important thing in their favor. The sportsbook at the Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia is a William Hill operation. That will help boost their chances in Ohio. Morgantown is a four-hour drive from Cleveland, but Pennsylvania has also added their name to the list of states with legal sports betting. The U.K.-based sportsbook offers a welcome bonus to new accounts in each state they are active. William Hill will most likely extend the same welcome offer to new Ohio sports bettors. Cavaliers' fans will be able to cast a risk-free first bet on their hometown team up to $500.

The PointsBet Ohio sportsbook app will give Cavaliers' fans a different angle for placing bets on their hometown team. PointsBet calls it "Pointsbetting". Pointsbetting is a higher-risk, higher-reward way to wager on games. The accuracy of each bet directly correlates with how much you can win. PointsBet has offered an array of promotions to boost public awareness of their unique betting format. New Ohio PointsBet accounts can expect to receive the same $500 risk-free first bet using any traditional odds, plus a $1000 risk-free bet using pointsbetting. That's up to $1,500 in free bets for Cleveland fans.

The DraftKings Ohio sportsbook outlook is as solid as any sportsbook competitor. They have developed a huge customer base that includes thousands of Ohio residents. DraftKings will be one of the first sportsbooks granted an opportunity to launch in the Buckeye State. FanDuel's track record in states that currently allow sports betting is overwhelmingly strong. They consistently rank as one of the highest rated mobile apps, plus one of the most successful. DraftKings has an excellent welcome bonus package as well. New Ohio DraftKings accounts can expect a $1,000 combination offer. The bonus includes up to a $500 risk-free first bet, plus $500 in matching deposit bonuses.

Like their DFS rival DraftKings, FanDuel has built an outstanding reputation across each state they have launched their sportsbook. The FanDuel sportsbook will certainly be one of the first to launch in Ohio. The FanDuel online and mobile sports betting app has proven one of the most successful in the U.S. When FanDuel gains access to the Ohio sports market, expect them to launch almost immediately. New FanDuel Ohio sportsbook accounts will receive up to a $500 risk-free first bet. Cavaliers' fans can take that opportunity to make a big first bet on the Cavs exciting young team.

Can Darius Garland and Collin Sexton Really Start Together?

The Cavs confused a lot of people in the draft with their selection of Darius Garland, who plays the same position as their other young guard Collin Sexton. The fact that forward Jarrett Culver was available, who seemingly would’ve filled an important long term need the Cavs had if they drafted him, made this even more perplexing. Apparently, the Cavaliers rationale behind their decision was their belief that Garland and Sexton could play together and form a dynamic backcourt, similar to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. While this may not be a terrible plan to have, it comes with significant risk. Firstly, neither appears to be a great or even average defender. Sexton has promise defensively but had a miserable rookie season based on advanced stats, while Garland’s lack of size will probably hurt him in the league. This makes acquiring perimeter defenders that can cover for their flaws important for the Cavs future. Secondly, there isn’t a clear hierarchy like with Lillard and McCollum, which could lead to some balance problems. Both are players who are looking to establish themselves, so they may not be willing to share touches or shots, leading to an awkward pairing.

How Much Does Kevin Love Have Left to Give?

Many people expected Kevin Love to be traded after Lebron left, but the Cavs surprised a lot of people by giving him a 4 year, 120 million contract extension. This means that Kevin Love, assuming he still doesn’t get traded, will be here for much longer than people anticipated. The problem is he might not have much in the tank left. He missed most of the season with a toe injury, and when he did play, he didn’t look like he was operating at full strength. It’s possible that, at 30 years of age, he simply might be past his prime. Even if he is, however, the Cavaliers will likely have no choice but to play him considering their lack of alternative options and his contract. This season will likely be a test for Love, as we’ll see whether he can reclaim his prior all-star form, or whether this decline was the sign of worse things to come.

How Respectable can this Starting Lineup be?

Look, the Cavaliers, barring a shocking development, are likely going to be pretty bad. They may not reach Charlotte Hornets level of ineptitude but expecting them to even be in the competition for a playoff spot is a mistake. Still, there’s hope that their starting lineup can at least be competitive and won’t just be a team other teams view as a free win. They don’t have anyone that feels like a franchise player, at least not yet, but they still have a couple of decent players that could be part of a respectable lineup. The Cavaliers will probably end up with one of the worst records in the NBA, but there’s hope that they won’t be completely unwatchable this season.