Cavs-Magic Preseason Opener Game Notes

Wednesday, October 5

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic

? 7:00 PM EST
? @TheQArena, Cleveland, OH
? @FOXSportsOH & @NBATV
? @wtam1100

-Cavs (0-0, preseason): After last year’s memorable championship winning season, and an off-season filled with celebration, Cleveland is now set to kick off their 2016-17 preseason campaign against the Orlando Magic inside Quicken Loans Arena.

Like alot of NBA teams, the Cavaliers are still searching for depth at various positions.

The preseason isn’t just for prepping and oiling the gears of war.

Many players are competing for their first appearance in the NBA limelight.

The preseason is just the spotlight they’ll need, as many coaches and executives will be keeping a keen eye on their respective prospects.

Cleveland’s camp invitees include (in no particular order):

– (G) Toney Douglas (6′-3″, 185 lbs)
– (G) Jordan McRae (6′-6″, 185 lbs)
– (G) Dahntay Jones (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
– (G) Markel Brown (6′-3″, 185 lbs)
– (G) John Holland (6′-5″, 205 lbs)
– (G) Cory Jefferson (6′-9″, 218 lbs)
– (G/F) DeAndre Liggins (6′-6″, 209 lbs)
– (F) Jonathon Holmes (6′-9″, 242 lbs)

With the regular season closing in fast, these players will have a limited amount of time and alot of pressure to perform.

On Tuesday, Head Coach Tyronn Lue made a couple of announcements with regards to tonight’s preseason game. Lue stated that LeBron James will indeed play tonight. However, point guard Kyrie Irving will be rested, Lue said.

Liggins will start for Irving.

Coach Lue spoke with Sam Amico of Amico Hoops about his expectations for tonight’s match-up, saying:

“We want to push the ball, play with pace and take care of the basketball,” Lue said. “All the simple things.”

Cavaliers injury report:

(none to report)

Magic (0-1, preseason): Under their newly-appointed Head Coach, Frank Vogel, Orlando is set for their first visit to Cleveland this season. After their disappointing 35-47 record posted last year, the Magic should have a sense of higher expectations for the upcoming season.

A 102-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in their 2016-17 NBA preseason debut on Monday night means that the Magic will be hungry for their first taste of victory.

Per Brian Schmitz (@MagicInsider) of the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Magic camp invites include:

– (PG/SG) Nick Johnson (6′-3″, 202 lbs)
– (SG) Kevin Murphy (6′-6″, 185 lbs)
– (F) Damjan Rudez (6′-10″, 228 lbs)
– (F) Branden Dawson (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
– (PF) Cliff Alexander (6′-8″, 240 lbs)
– (PF/C) Arinze Onuaku (6′-9″, 275 lbs)

The Magic will likely elect to bolster their three-point shooting capabilities when selecting which camp invites will make this year’s team. Orlando’s already-crowded front-court could leave some of their “big-man” camp invites struggling to land a spot on the roster.

Orlando injury report:

– (PG) Elfrid Payton (hip-flexer): Questionable
– (SG) Jodie Meeks (foot): Out
– (SG) C.J. Wilcox (hand): Questionable
– (SF) Aaron Gordon (ankle): Questionable
– (PF) Serge Ibaka (knee soreness): Questionable

* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *