Cavaliers-Maccabi Tel Aviv pregame dribbles

By foxsports
Published

Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

TV: 6 p.m., FOX Sports Ohio/NBA TV

Projected Starters

MACCABI: C Aleks Maric; F Guy Pnini; F Brian Randle; G Sylven Landenberg; G Jeremy Pargo. Coach: Guy Goodes.

CLEVELAND: C Tristan Thompson; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG Dion Waiters; PG Kyrie Irving. Coach: David Blatt.

Pregame Dribbles:

1. I'll be honest, it felt weird to type the names of LeBron James and Kevin Love in the Cavs' starting lineup. It may take the entire preseason before I get used to it.

2. James, Love and the other starters probably will play about half the game, if that. Usually, these first few preseason games are used to get a look at how guys play together, followed by a look at the guys battling for a roster spot.

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3. Maccabi G Jeremy Pargo played for the Cavs for part of the 2012-13 season and even had a couple of big nights. One particular huge game against the 76ers comes immediately to mind. Pargo is close with Cavs C/F Anderson Varejao.

4. Also, in the event you didn't know by now, Blatt coached Maccabi for six years, leading it to six Israeli Cup championships and five Israeli League championships. Last season, Blatt and Maccabi finished 54-18 on their way to the Euroleague title.

5. For those who missed it and may be interested, LeBron's former team opened its preseason last night, and the Heat did not look all that great. Chris Bosh started the game 1-for-10 from the floor, and Luol Deng started 1-for-6 in a loss to the Pelicans. Part of that is because Pelicans center Anthony Davis blocked everything in sight.

6. Pargo, Heat, Bosh, Deng ... isn't it great all those things can be things of the past for Cavs fans? Not sure why I brought any of it up, actually. My bad.

7. Former University of Akron forward Nate Linhart is a member of Maccabi Tel Aviv, as is former University of North Carolina guard Joe Forte.

8. After tonight, the Cavs are off until next Saturday's game against the Heat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Both teams are expected to depart the states Tuesday. 

9. The NBA TV Hangtime crew is at the game and their big old van is parked right outside the arena. You can see a pic of it on my Instagram account.