Cleveland, OH
Cavs vs. Nets Preview: Avoiding the letdown game

The Cavs remain perfect after a complete annihilation of the Golden State Warriors on Friday evening. They’ll try to back that up the following night.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (10-0) vs. Brooklyn Nets (4-5)
Where: Rocket Mortage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports)
Line: Cavs -13
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report from yesterday: Max Strus – OUT (ankle), Emoni Bates – OUT (knee)
Expected Nets starting lineup: Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton
Nets injury report from yesterday: Bojan Bogdanovic – OUT (foot), Day’Ron Sarpe – OUT (hamstring), Trendon Watford – OUT (hamstring)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join Tony Pesta as he reacts to all the action.
What to watch for
Cavaliers offense
The Cavs registered the highest-scoring first half (83 points) in franchise history last night.
Think that’s impressive? Well, Cleveland is also currently posting the highest offensive rating in league history. That might not stay true for the entire season but one thing is clear — this Cavalier team is pouring it on at historic rates.
Small sample size, new era, but….
The Cleveland Cavaliers currently possess the best offense (122.7 rating) not just in the league, not just in franchise history, but in NBA (!!!) history.
Just an incredible start to the season at 10-0.
— Greg Swartz (@GregSwartzBR) November 9, 2024
This start to the year is more than a prolific hot streak. The Cavaliers aren’t receiving scorching hot shooting nights on difficult attempts from their stars. No, this offense is generating easy looks that have been converted at an absurd rate. The law of averages should cause a dip in their efficiency eventually but there’s no reason to think this has been a fluke. We shouldn’t expect a major shift until teams figure out how to stop Cleveland from creating open shots. So far, that’s proven to be quite the task.
Brooklyn enters this game with the league’s 16th-best defense.
A dynamic Brooklyn backcourt
The Nets are in the thick of a rebuild. Still, they have a handful of players who can perform. Cam Thomas and Dennis Schroder have been the biggest standouts.
Thomas and Schroder are combining for 45.5 points per game as one of the more surprising and dynamic backcourt in the NBA. Schroder is a crafty veteran who most of us are familiar with. But Thomas has emerged as a 23-year-old flamethrower. He’s attempting the 10th most field goals per game as a microwave scorer who is never bashful.
Avoiding a lull
It would be fair to assume that since the Cavaliers handled a red-hot team such as the Warriors with ease — that a game against the Nets should be a breeze. While that might prove to be true, the Cavs don’t want to take their eyes off the ball.
Winning 10 straight games can be just as exhausting as it is exhilarating. The second night of a back-to-back, in a matchup that isn’t nearly as exciting (on paper), is the type of game that could cause a lull for anyone.
But the Cavaliers have every reason to keep their foot on the gas. This is a team that few analysts believed in entering the season. They made a statement last night. So much so, that none of their starters played more than 30 minutes. The Cavaliers should be relatively rested and prepared to add another win to their streak.

Cleveland, OH
5 hospitalized, residents displaced after explosion, fire at apartment building

Five people were hospitalized, and residents were displaced after an explosion led to a devastating fire at an apartment building in Cleveland’s Garden Valley neighborhood, according to the Cleveland Division of Fire.
“We ended up with 22 companies total on scene, so we had a big response,” said Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman.
Now, all that remains are busted windows, a collapsed structure and lost memories for people like Jania Williams.
“I was already homeless before I had stayed down here so this was like a little escape like actually having like a breath of fresh air,” said Williams.
Before Monday’s fire, Williams said she and her son were enjoying the day at the zoo until she received a call from her friend Darnella Garner.
“When I got here, I seen her house on fire and that’s what really put the icing on the cake when I actually seen the flames coming out the roof. I’m like ‘Oh my God,’” said Garner.
Firefighters reported receiving a call around 4 p.m. regarding an explosion at an apartment building near E. 70th Street and Garden Valley Avenue. Upon arrival, they saw a massive hole in the side of the building.
Que Willis said he heard a loud noise and then saw the flames.
“I see like apartments like on fire. I’m talking about four, five apartments blew up,” said Willis.
Five people were transported to a nearby hospital by EMS; their conditions are unknown at this time.
“I don’t have the status on them right now, but I think they are in pretty serious condition,” said Norman.
Two dogs and a cat were also rescued from the building, Cleveland Fire said.
After about two hours of battling the flames, firefighters declared the fire a controlled burn and said they would conduct a third search for victims once the fire is extinguished.
“The challenge with a fire that’s underneath the roof is the roof itself. The roof does what a roof does. It repels the water and keeps the water from hitting the fire,” said Norman.
Cleveland Fire said over 60 firefighters from 22 different companies responded to the fire.
According to the fire department, the fire resulted in a $3.5 million loss. The American Red Cross deployed its Disaster Action Team members, who have established a short-term shelter at the Zelma George Recreation Center, located at 3155 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Cleveland, for those displaced.
“When I got the call about the explosion, I immediately jumped up and came to find out what is going on because we’re going to need some help,” said Councilman Richard Starr.
Monday evening, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb released the following statement regarding the fire:
This afternoon, a fire broke out in the Garden Valley neighborhood, resulting in significant damage to several homes. The firefighters and first responders worked tirelessly to contain the fire and acted quickly to protect residents and preserve property. We extend our heartfelt concern to those affected by this incident, especially to the individuals who sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The city is actively supporting the situation and is in coordination with local partners to ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support and resources during this challenging time. The American Red Cross also established the Zelma George Recreation Center as a temporary shelter for residents displaced by the fire. The city will continue to coordinate efforts with local organizations to assist those impacted by this tragedy as needed.
The fire is still under investigation, and News 5 is working to learn more.
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Cleveland, OH
Analyst Identifies The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Biggest NBA Draft Need

With the NBA Draft less than three days away, the Cleveland Cavaliers do not have a first-round pick and do not appear to be
However, the Wine and Gold do still have two second-round picks at No. 49 and 58 and could still find a solid win-now piece or a project player this late in the draft.
Law Murray of The Athletic recently identified each team’s biggest draft need and believes the Cavaliers should target “A developmental center makes sense with at least one of the second-rounders.”
(The analyst also pointed out the reason why Cleveland doesn’t have a first-round pick, and that’s because of the Donovan Mitchell trade that the Cavaliers should be more than happy they pulled off.)
Drafting a young center who is still a year or two away from making a real impact in an NBA rotation is the perfect game plan for the Cavaliers to have.
As Murray also noted, Cleveland’s first-round pick from last season, Jaylon Tyson, struggled to get minutes. This means a player taken in the second round would have an even more difficult time finding playing time for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers also have a clear issue with their front-court depth. There’s no true center on the roster after Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and Cleveland would have a huge problem if either of them got hurt.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction the Cavaliers go in the draft. However, taking center with one of their two picks would be a wise decision by the front office.
Read More Cleveland Cavaliers Coverage
MORE: REPORT: Cleveland Cavaliers Made Push for Kevin Durant Trade
MORE: Cleveland Cavaliers Linked to All-Star Trade With Los Angeles Lakers
MORE: Insider Gives Update On Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Draft Plans
MORE: Cavaliers’ New Coach Might Be Exactly What Evan Mobley Needs
MORE: Former Cavaliers Head Coach Emerges as Knicks’ Top Candidate
Cleveland, OH
Where to see 4th of July fireworks in northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio (WOIO) – The Fourth of July is fast approaching next Friday and several northeast Ohio towns, cities, and counties are celebrating with fireworks displays.
You can share your photos and videos with us for use on air and online as well:
Here are some of the fireworks near you:
Cuyahoga County
- Bay Village
- Time: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Bay Village Cahoon Memorial Park
- Berea
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Over the water at Coe Lake
- Cleveland
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Voinovich Park and North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation’s at North Coast Yard
- Cleveland Guardians
- Time: After the game at 7:10 p.m.
- Location: Progressive Field
- Lakewood
- Time: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Lakewood Park
- Strongsville
- Time: Friday, 9:15 p.m.
- Location: The Commons
- Westlake
- Time: Friday at dusk
- Location: Clague Park
Ashland County
- Ashland
- Time: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Freer Field
- Loudonville
- Time: Friday, 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Riverside Park
Ashtabula County
- Conneaut
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Lakeview Park
- Geneva-on-the-Lake
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Municipal Golf Course
Carroll County
- Carrollton
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Carroll County Fairgrounds
Erie County
- Huron
- Time: Friday, 10:15 p.m.
- Location: Huron Boat Basin
- Norwalk
- Time: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Huron County Fairgrounds
- Port Clinton
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Waterworks Park
- Put-In-Bay
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Perry’s Victory
- Sandusky (Cedar Point)
- Time: Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Cedar Point Beach
Geauga County
- Bainbridge
- Time: Saturday, event from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Location: Kenston High School
- Burton
- Time: Saturday, event from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: Geauga County Fairgrounds
- Middlefield
- Time: Thursday, 9 p.m.
- Location: Yoder Brother Park
Lake County
- Eastlake (Lake County Captains)
- Time: Thursday, following 7 p.m. game
- Location: Classic Auto Group Park
- Fairport Harbor
- Time: Saturday at dusk
- Location: Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
- Mentor
- Time: Friday, after 7 p.m. concert
- Location: Mentor Civic Amphitheater
Lorain County
- Avon (Lake Erie Crushers): Red, White, and Boom
- Time: After game at 7:05 p.m.
- Location: Lake Erie Crushers Stadium
- Avon Lake
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Weiss Field
- Elyria
- Time: Friday, 10:15 p.m.
- Location: West Park
- Lorain
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Mile Long Pier
- North Ridgeville
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Victory Park Ohio
Medina County
- Brunswick
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Brunswick High School
- Medina
- Time: Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.
- Location: Medina Rec
- Valley City
- Time: Friday at dusk
- Location: Mill Stream Park
- Wadsworth
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Wadsworth
Portage County
- Aurora
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: W. Pioneer Trail
- Deerfield
- Time: Friday, 10 p.m.
- Tappan Lake Park
- Hiram
- Time: Thursday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Hiram College Football Field
- Kent
- Time: Saturday at dark
- Location: Downtown Kent
Richland County
- Crestline
- Time: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Old Hutson Stadium
- Mansfield
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Charles Mill Park
Stark County
- Alliance
- Time: Friday at dusk
- Location: Silver Park
- Lake Cable (Canton)
- Time: Thursday, Dusk
- Location: Lake Cable Clubhouse
- Massillon
- Time: Thursday, Between 9 and 10 p.m.
- Location: Duncan Plaza
Summit County
- Akron
- Time: Friday, 9:45 p.m.
- Location: Lock 3, Main Street, Lock 3’s Backyard on Bowery, Canal Park stadium (with purchase of Akron RubberDucks’ tickets for that evening), as well as several spots in nearby neighborhoods including Waters Park (140 Olive St.) and others to be announced
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Time: Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.
- Location: Blossom Music Center
- Hudson
- Time: Saturday at dusk
- Location: Barlow Farm Park
- New Franklin
- Time: Saturday, 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Portage Lakes
Tuscarawas County
- New Philadelphia
- Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.
- Location: Practice Field
Wayne County
- Orville
- Time: Saturday, 10:15 p.m.
- Location: Orr Park
Does your community have a fireworks display not on this list? Email 19tips@woio.com with the subject “4th of July.”
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