Cavaliers Nightly

The injury report is the main question going into the opener. Jarrett Allen is day-to-day with a right knee issue. His estimated return date is Oct. 22, the day of the opener. Khalifa Diop is out with a left knee injury. His estimated return is Oct. 24, the home game against Brooklyn. Nae'Qwan Tomlin is out with a back injury. He is not expected back until Nov. 16. On Oct. 20 it was reported that Tomlin will miss at least 3-4 weeks. The center spot takes the first hit. If Allen sits, the bigs available are Evan Mobley, Thomas Bryant and rookie Ernest Udeh, Jr. Tomlin played 64 games last season and averaged 5.8 points in 15.7 minutes, so his absence also thins the forward rotation.

The offense starts with two guards. Donovan Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists last season in 70 games. He shot 36.4 percent from three and had a +/- of 5.3. James Harden also played 70 games last season. He averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists and shot 37.5 percent from three. Harden is 37 and has 17 years of experience. Mitchell is 30 and has 9. Mitchell's commitment is not in question. On Oct. 21 he was quoted as saying, 'I Don't Ever Want To Wear Another Uniform.' Craig Porter Jr. backs up the two stars. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 assists in 17.9 minutes last season, in 64 games.

Evan Mobley is the anchor up front. He averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. Allen added 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 56 games. The wings can shoot. Jaylon Tyson averaged 13.2 points and shot 44.6 percent from three in 66 games. On Oct. 20 the Cavs were reported to have picked up his fourth-year option. Peyton Watson averaged 14.6 points and shot 41.1 percent from three last season. Sam Merrill averaged 12.8 points and hit 42.1 percent from deep. Thomas Bryant gives them a stretch big off the bench. He shot 35.9 percent from three and averaged 6.2 points in 12.2 minutes last season. Mario Hezonja, 31, adds a veteran forward to the group.

Five players from last season's roster are gone. Dennis Schroder signed with the Hornets. Max Strus went to the Clippers. Dean Wade is now with the 76ers, the opening-night opponent. Keon Ellis went to the Nets, and Larry Nance Jr. joined the Pacers. Losing Wade hurts most on paper. Last season the Mitchell, Allen, Wade, Merrill and Tyson lineup posted a net rating of 42.8 in 55.0 minutes. The new faces are young. Meleek Thomas, 20, is a rookie guard. Udeh and Diop are rookie centers. Tyrese Proctor, 22, and Tristan Enaruna, 25, each have one year of experience. Riley Minix, 26, has two. The front office kept the core in place and filled the bench with youth.

Cleveland went 52-30 last season. The team had an offensive rating of 118.3 and a defensive rating of 114.1, for a net rating of 4.1. It scored 119.5 points per game at a pace of 100.7. Its effective field goal percentage was 56.1, and its true shooting was 59.5. The preseason was mixed. The Cavs lost 113-124 to Boston at home on Oct. 8. They beat Orlando 119-105 at home on Oct. 11. Two days later they lost 116-132 at Orlando. Preseason results do not count, but the losses to Boston and in Orlando showed defensive gaps. With Allen's status unclear and Diop and Tomlin out, the early test is holding up inside without the full frontcourt.