LeBron James is coming home in a sense. The Cleveland Cavaliers are traveling to South Beach for the first time this season to play the Miami Heat, marking the first time James reunites with his former teammates on the court in the regular season. The Heat turned James into a star allowing him to win two championships and multiple MVP awards. Now he comes back in a different jersey as the Cavaliers look to continue moving towards the top.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been very adamant that there is no ill-will when it comes to James leaving the Heat. All three players were free agents last summer. Wade quickly re-signed with Miami while Bosh was courted by a number of teams before agreeing to stay with the Heat. James took his time and ultimately "went home" to Cleveland where the team re-signed Kyrie Irving to a long-term deal and traded for Kevin Love to build a new Big 3.
The Heat and Cavaliers are taking different routes in their seasons. Cleveland is one a three-game win streak, sitting at 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Heat on the other hand are coming off a bad loss to the Philadelphia 76ers while being 4-6 in their last 10 games. Miami has struggled to adjust with James out of the lineup while Wade is in and out with injuries.
The Cavaliers have injury concerns of their own. The team has lost Anderson Varejao for the season to a torn Achilles tendon. The really hurts the Cavaliers' already-struggling defensive unit. The team ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency this season while allowing 105.3 points per 100 possessions. The team will likely have to make moves in order to acquire another big man. They have options depending on how much they are willing to spend. Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe and potentially someone like Samuel Dalembert from the Knicks. The Cavaliers will be forced to make a move regardless.
