Blatt: LeBron James Expected To Play

Update:

Blatt said he expects LeBron to play today.  — Joe Vardon (@joevardon) – November 8, 2015

Cavs G J.R. Smith (knee) will not play vs Pacers. — Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) – November 8, 2015

Update:

Blatt says LeBron James (leg) rested at practice. He’ll see how he feels tomorrow. Also J.R. Smith expected to play Sunday against Pacers.

Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) – November 7, 2015

———————————————————————

The Cavaliers will look to extend their five-game winning streak when they host the Indiana Pacers in a matinee contest on Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Cleveland (5-1) is a perfect 3-0 at The Q this season and hold a 23-1 mark at home since Jan. 19 of last season. Over that 24-game stretch at The Q, the Cavaliers are outscoring opponents by 12.4 points per game (105.2-92.8). The Wine and Gold have also won 25 straight home games when scoring at least 100 points.

The Cavaliers picked up their 5th consecutive win after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-102, on Friday night at The Q. The team put together solid offense, shooting 45-88 (.511) from the field and dishing out a season-high tying 29 assists. Six Cavs players scored in double figures: LeBron James (31), Richard Jefferson (17), Timofey Mozgov (13), Kevin Love (12) and Matthew Dellavedova (11).

Cleveland is averaging 19.8 fast break points per game, which is the 3rd-best in the NBA. Coming into Sunday’s game, the Cavs have scored at least 20 fast break points in each of the last three games, averaging 24.0 points in transition during that span.

This season, the Cavaliers have dished out 26.3 assists per game (2nd in NBA) to their opponents’ 18.3 (+8.0 diff. is 2nd in NBA), while also outrebounding their opponents 48.2 to 40.0 (+8.2 diff. is tied-3rd in NBA).

Indiana (3-3) began their 2015-16 campaign with three straight losses after allowing an average of 105.0 points. The Pacers have seemed to turn things around in their current three-game winning streak and are allowing just 89.0 points per game after holding Miami to just 38 points after halftime in Friday’s 90-87 victory over the Heat.

The Pacers All-Star forward, Paul George, has come on strong as of late, scoring 62 points while shooting 22-45 from the field in their last two contests.

For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike and @chones22 on Twitter.

Status Update: (Cavs) – Iman Shumpert, (Ruptured Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, Out), Kyrie Irving, (Fractured Left Knee Cap, Out), J.R. Smith, (Right Knee Contusion, Quadriceps Tendinitis, Doubtful)

Status Update: (Pacers) – Ian Mahinmi, (Sore Lower Back, Questionable), C.J. Miles, (Sore Right Ankle, Questionable)

*Subject to change.

Sunday’s matchup will be the first of four regular season meetings between the two Central Division foes, as the Cavs have won three straight home contests against the Pacers.

Furthermore, the Cavaliers have won 12 straight against Indiana in Cleveland when LeBron James suits up for the Wine and Gold dating back to the 2004-05 season.

After tonight’s game, the Cavaliers conclude their four-game homestand on Tuesday for Hoops for Troops night against the Utah Jazz at 7:00 p.m. ET.