Cleveland Cavaliers @ 
Phoenix SunsThe Storyline: Contenders in Crisis Mode
This isn't the matchup we drew up in October. When the schedule-makers circled Cavaliers-Suns as a potential showcase game, they envisioned Donovan Mitchell dueling with Devin Booker, Evan Mobley anchoring Cleveland's elite defense against Phoenix's new-look offense. Instead, we're getting a battle of attrition. Both teams are missing critical pieces, and that's precisely what makes tonight fascinating. Who can adapt? Who has the deeper bench? Who's built to survive adversity?
Cleveland arrives in Phoenix missing three key rotation players: Evan Mobley (calf), Darius Garland (toe), and Max Strus (foot). That's your Defensive Player of the Year, your secondary playmaker, and a key floor-spacer all in street clothes. Yet somehow, the Cavaliers keep winning. They've won five straight and sit at 29-20, eight games over .500 and firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. That's the mark of a well-coached team with a legitimate star in Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland OUT: Evan Mobley (calf), Darius Garland (toe), Max Strus (foot)
Phoenix OUT: Devin Booker (ankle)
Phoenix QUESTIONABLE: Jalen Green (hamstring), Collin Gillespie (hand)
Cleveland Cavaliers Breakdown
Cavaliers (29-20)Mitchell has been absolutely ridiculous lately. He dropped 45 points on Orlando, followed that with 36 in another win over the Magic, and then put up 25 efficient points in a blowout of the Lakers. When your star is operating at this level, it papers over a lot of roster deficiencies. Cleveland's offense has been humming, averaging 119.2 points per game (4th in the NBA) while shooting 47.2% from the field.
The concern is obvious: defense. Mobley is arguably the best defensive player in basketball, and his absence leaves a gaping hole. Cleveland's defensive rating without him has been significantly worse, and Phoenix, even shorthanded, has enough offensive talent to exploit that. Jarrett Allen will have to play the game of his life protecting the rim.
Phoenix Suns Breakdown
Suns (28-19)Phoenix's summer looked like a tear-down. They traded their veteran star to the Rockets in a seven-team blockbuster, bought out Bradley Beal, and welcomed Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and rookie Khaman Maluach. It was a pivot toward youth and flexibility, with Devin Booker as the elder statesman at just 29 years old. But now Booker's out with an ankle sprain, and the Suns are learning to survive without their franchise cornerstone.
Grayson Allen has been the revelation. The sharpshooter is averaging 16.4 points and has shown he can carry a larger offensive burden when needed. His 42-point explosion against New Orleans, featuring 10 three-pointers, showed what he's capable of when he gets hot. Without Booker and potentially without Green, Phoenix will need that kind of performance tonight.
The Cavaliers have won five straight and are 18-12 ATS on the season. They've been particularly strong as road favorites, covering in 7 of their last 10 games in that role. Donovan Mitchell is 8-3 ATS when scoring 25+ points in his last 11 such games.
Key Matchup: Mitchell vs. Phoenix's Perimeter Defense
With Booker out, the Suns don't have to worry about hiding anyone on defense. But that doesn't mean stopping Mitchell will be easy. Dillon Brooks, the self-proclaimed "Booker stopper" from his Memphis days, will likely draw the primary assignment. Brooks has the physicality and competitive fire to make Mitchell work, but Mitchell is playing at an All-NBA level right now. He's getting to his spots, finishing at the rim, and hitting pull-up threes with regularity.
If Brooks can slow Mitchell even slightly, it puts pressure on Cleveland's supporting cast. Caris LeVert has been solid, but without Garland running pick-and-rolls, the halfcourt offense can get stagnant. Phoenix's strategy is simple: make someone other than Mitchell beat them. The question is whether Cleveland's role players are up to the challenge.
These teams last met on December 31, 2025, with Cleveland taking a 129-113 victory at home. Mitchell had 32 points in that contest. The Cavaliers also won the first meeting in Phoenix earlier in the season, taking the season series lead.
Betting Analysis: The Total
The 223 total is the number that deserves attention. Both teams are missing key players, which typically depresses scoring, but Cleveland has been putting up points regardless of who's available. They're averaging 119.2 per game this season and have scored 123+ in three of their last five. Phoenix, meanwhile, has been struggling offensively without Booker, averaging just 101.3 points per game in the six games he's missed this season.
The spread tells an interesting story too. Cleveland is a 5-point road favorite, which is significant juice for a team missing three rotation players. The market is saying Mitchell can carry this team to a comfortable win, even in a tough road environment. Phoenix is just 2-4 without Booker this season, and those losses haven't been close.
Keys to Victory
Cleveland Wins If... Phoenix Wins If...Final Thoughts
This is a game about resilience. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, and both are trying to prove they can win without their full arsenal. Cleveland has the better track record of doing exactly that, riding Donovan Mitchell's brilliance through adversity. Phoenix is still figuring out its identity after the summer overhaul, and now temporarily without Booker.
The 5-point spread feels right. Cleveland has won five straight and is playing with supreme confidence. Phoenix is scrappy at home, but they've struggled mightily without their superstar. Grayson Allen is capable of getting hot and making this interesting, but consistently beating good teams without your best player is a tall order. Mitchell is locked in, and that's usually enough.
Watch the pace of play closely. If Phoenix can push tempo and create chaos, they have a chance. If Cleveland slows it down and executes in the halfcourt, their talent advantage becomes more pronounced. Either way, this is a fascinating chess match between two teams missing key pieces.
For entertainment purposes only. Always gamble responsibly.