OPENING TIP
It’s unofficial, but the Mike Brown Era, Take II begins tonight. Cavs fans are well-aware that Brown is a defense first, second and third sort of guy. Considering the Cavs struggled in so badly in that department last season -- well, Brown and this team should be an interesting mix. Tonight it sort of begins with the opening of the eight-game preseason.
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland.
TV/Radio: FOX Sports Ohio, WTAM, 7 p.m. ET
PROJECTED STARTERS
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (0-0 preseason)
C Larry Sanders
PF Ersan Ilyasova
SF Caron Butler
SG O.J. Mayo
PG Brandon Knight
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (0-0 preseason)
C Anderson Varejao
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Earl Clark
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
Pregame notes:
• Cavs centers Tyler Zeller (hip) and Andrew Bynum (knee) are out. Small forward Alonzo Gee is doubtful. Bynum has yet to practice with the team, but is still said to be progressing well.
• The Bucks have a whole new look this season with a new coach in Larry Drew and three new starters (Mayo, Butler and Knight). Point guard Luke Ridnour and swingman Carlos Delfino are other key new faces.
• Brown said he is hoping everyone gets to play tonight, which means very limited minutes for the starters. Makes sense. The preseason, particularly the first game, is rarely about beating the other team. It’s more about seeing what you have in your own.
• Upcoming preseason games: The Cavs are at Orlando on Friday, then play Charlotte next Tuesday at the Canton Civic Center, home of the D-League’s Canton Charge. The Orlando game will be carried by FOX Sports Ohio, the Charlotte game by SportsTime Ohio.
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
