Cavs Questions: Harden's Debut, a Third-Quarter Scare and an…

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk · Monday, October 12

Cleveland beat Orlando 119-105 in the preseason opener behind James Harden's 24 points, but a 14-0 Magic run in the third quarter turned an 18-point lead into a one-point game before the Cavaliers pulled away. The same two teams meet again Tuesday in Orlando, with Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Khalifa Diop targeting returns and the Magic working through their injury list.

Cavaliers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What did James Harden actually show in his preseason debut?

Harden went 7-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from three, scoring 24 points with seven free throws in 26 minutes and a plus-5 mark. Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor wrote that Harden showed no rust in the outing. For a 37-year-old in his 17th season who was held out last week with a right ankle issue, that's the start Cleveland wanted before games start counting.

Which bench players carried the second unit?

Jaylon Tyson scored 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting with three triples, Mario Hezonja added 13 points, two steals and two blocks, and Thomas Bryant scored 12 in just seven minutes on 5-of-6 shooting. All three outscored every starter besides Harden. It's one preseason game, but that's a deep group for Kenny Atkinson to lean on once the schedule gets real.

How close did Orlando actually get before Cleveland pulled away?

Cleveland built an 18-point lead, then watched Orlando rip off a 14-0 run that cut it to 64-66 early in the third quarter. The Cavaliers answered immediately with a 10-0 run of their own, Orlando scored eight straight right back, and Cleveland still closed it out 119-105. A tighter game than the final score suggests.

Are Tomlin and Diop playing in the rematch?

Nae'Qwan Tomlin (back) and Khalifa Diop (knee) are both still held out, with Tuesday, October 13 marked as their target return — the same night Cleveland plays Orlando again. Neither has been formally cleared. If both suit up, that's the first look at a full frontcourt rotation this preseason, with Mobley and Allen getting real depth behind them.

What does Tuesday's rematch in Orlando look like?

Same two teams, Peacock and NBC Sports Network, Tuesday at Orlando — Cleveland's second preseason look at the Magic in three days. Orlando will be shorthanded again: Desmond Bane, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs are all unavailable, and Izaiyah Nelson is out with a left ankle injury. A true road test before the opponents change for good.

The verdictCleveland looks like the deeper team through two preseason games, with Harden healthy and a bench that can score in bunches, but Tuesday's rematch in Orlando is the next real test with two frontcourt pieces possibly back.

When do the Cavaliers play the Magic again?

Cleveland plays Orlando again on Tuesday, October 13, broadcast on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. It's the second of two preseason meetings between these teams in three days.

Is James Harden healthy after being on the injury report?

Harden was cleared from the right ankle issue that had him sidelined and scored 24 points in his preseason debut on October 11. He showed no signs of the injury in that outing.

By the Cavaliers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.