Tipoff: HSBC Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 5 p.m. EST
TV: SportsTime Ohio, ESPNews. Radio: WTAM 1100.
Preseason Records: Cavaliers 1-0; Heat 0-2.
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG Dion Waiters; PG Matthew Dellavedova.
Heat: C Chris Bosh; PF Shawne Williams; SF Luol Deng; SG Dwyane Wade; PG Norris Cole.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving (ankle) questionable. Heat: Josh McRoberts (toe) out.
Dribbles
1. This game was a bad idea by the NBA and has been an awkward experience for James and his former teammates with the Heat. Nothing wrong with a preseason game in Brazil -- but in this instance, the league chose marketing and desperately trying to create some early buzz over being sensible (and its own players' feelings).
2. Don't be surprised to see Varejao start over Tristan Thompson. Cavs coach David Blatt hasn't officially named a starting center, but my gut tells me it will be Thompson. Still, Varejao is a native of Brazil, and this is a special weekend for him.
3. Dellavedova will get the start at point guard assuming Irving is out (and it sounds like he is). Kyrie could play if this were a regular-season game, but no need to risk further injury to his tweaked right ankle.
4. Delly is LeBron's new Norris Cole.
5. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra hinted Cole could start ahead of Mario Chalmers for this one. Cole is a Dayton native and Cleveland State product, and one of the league's premier backcourt defenders.
6. While the teams are enjoying their visit to Rio, this game can't end soon enough for everyone involved. That's especially the case for James and his former Heat teammates, who clearly are agitated he left. No shock there.
Follow on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
