The Cleveland Cavaliers have history to chase, as they’ll be going for their second 15-game win streak of the season when they host the Brooklyn Nets for a 7 p.m. ET clash. Only seven teams — including the Cavaliers — have ever had two separate 14-game winning streaks in the same season, so the team is in truly historic territory. But they might have to do it without their talisman, as shooting guard Donovan Mitchell ($8,500) has been deemed questionable for tonight’s contest with groin soreness.
Since the All-Star break, Mitchell has resumed a high-usage role worthy of a No. 1 scoring option on a championship level team, and he’s averaged 25.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in that span as Cleveland has won all nine games in which he has appeared. He did sit out one game for rest, but the groin soreness seems to be a new issue. The Cavaliers will likely be fine either way; they’re 4-0 without him this season and still outscore opponents by nearly 10 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.
In addition to Mitchell, Cleveland has several other players with injury designations. Sixth Man of the Year contender De’Andre Hunter ($5,400) is questionable with an illness, while backup point guard Ty Jerome ($4,700) will have a rest day. If both Jerome and Mitchell sit, Darius Garland ($7,100) should take on a higher-usage role than normal and ascend to must-start fantasy status. Max Strus ($4,100) should also benefit if Hunter doesn’t play.
Even with the six-time All-Star’s status in flux, the Cavaliers are 17-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook.
