The Departure is now more than 4 1/2 months behind us. Billboards outside of the Q have been changed. The best member of LeBron James’ former supporting cast is on the shelf until January, so we are not going to see the mismatch that LeBron vs. Kevin Love would have presented.
So what to expect tonight as LeBron James returns to Cleveland for his one and only appearance on the Cavs’ home court?
A show …. that’s for sure. But what kind of a show? That remains to be seen.
The line on the game opened at Lakers -9 and has floated between 9 and 9 1/2 all day.
The over/under on LeBron’s points is 28.5, and the over/under for his points, rebounds and assists totaled up is 45.5. If you think a triple-double is in the cards, then the wager to make is over on his rebounds (7.5) and the over on his assists (8.5). Let’s face it: The guy has a bit of a history of shining in the spotlight.
There is action on Kyle Kuzma and Rodney Hood for those who want to throw all sorts of action on this game, but the player everyone will be eyeballing the closest will be the guy wearing No. 23 for the visitors.
Much has been written about what happened the last time LeBron had a comeback game in Cleveland, especially this piece from Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.
Vitriol and hate are underdogs to cheering, video tributes and fondness.
Hey, the guy took the Cavs to four straight NBA Finals, so that has to be worth at least some quotient of goodwill. But then again, all it takes is one knucklehead with a D battery and a good throwing arm to mess the night up for everyone.
And the over/under on knuckleheads in the building is always over 100. Unless it is an Olympiacos-Panathinaikos game, in which case the over/under is 12,000.
For those who bleed wine and gold and think everything will go the Cavs’ way tonight, we offer you this:
Yes, 95-1 for a Cavs’ superblowout.
Hey, miracles can happen. But probably not that one.
No matter what happens tonight at the Q, it will be autopsied tomorrow ad nauseum. The national NBA media has descended upon Cleveland for the final time until the 2021 All-Star game rolls into town, and the number of people who will recognize “burning river” jokes will be reduced exponentially. (Cavs fans despise that reference).
Whatever the case, this is going to be Showtime on the Road night in Cleveland, and the smart money says LeBron James steals the show.
How thoroughly does he steal it?
Hey, as they say: This is why they play the games.
(RELATED: CALAMITY IN CLEVELAND ON EVERY LEVEL)
