Locked On Cavs - Daily Podcast On The Cleveland Cavaliers

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman giving his end-of-season state of the Cavs address on Friday afternoon. Danny begins the show by talking about Altman’s comments on Donovan Mitchell and why he thinks those words point to Mitchell being in Cleveland for the long term. Next, Danny talks about Evan Mobley and why Altman’s words made it seem unlikely that the Cavs are going to make a blockbuster move involving the big man. Finally, Danny talks about the potential for James Harden to sign a co...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham previews the upcoming press conference of Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman. Danny begins the show by talking about what questions need to be asked of Altman and how he could answer them, including whether this season was a successful one, what needs to be done this summer to turn this group into a championship contender and more. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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Cleveland Cavaliers face a franchise-defining decision: Is LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo the ultimate fit for a championship push? Tim Daniel, Danny Cunningham, and Chasity Melvin tackle the blockbuster rumors, dissecting how each superstar could reshape the Cavs’ future and whether Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen should be trade centerpieces. Are the Cavs ready to risk it all for Giannis, or does a LeBron homecoming offer the perfect blend of leadership and playoff pedigree?

Debate heats up around the viability of Cleveland’s double-big lineup, James Harden’s polarizing role, and the nuanced impacts of coaching staff change...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the news that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be retaining head coach Kenny Atkinson for a third season after rumors swirled that his job could be on the line at times during the playoffs. Danny begins the show detailing why the Cavs made this decision before pivoting to what this decision could mean, including significant roster turnover for the team. Finally, Danny also talks about the job of team president Koby Altman being safe. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

E...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to seeing the Cleveland Cavaliers have their season ended by the New York Knicks on Tuesday night in the Eastern Conference Finals. Danny begins the show discussing what made this season a complicated one to judge, given the fact that the Cavs came up short of their ultimate goal, but never really had things go their way. Next, he talks about Donovan Mitchell’s future and why he thinks Mitchell should be a big part of the Cavs moving forward. Finally, Danny talks about what else could happen this of...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers being swept out of the playoffs by the New York Knicks on Monday night. Danny begins the show discussing why the Cavs lost the series to the Knicks and how their issues closing out games cost them throughout the postseason ultimately came back to bite them. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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The Cleveland Cavaliers crash out of the NBA Playoffs in blowout fashion as the New York Knicks dominate at Rocket Arena. Can the Cavs regroup after a humiliating finish and questions swirling around Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and the effectiveness of their analytics-driven strategy?

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin dissect Cleveland’s failed lineup adjustments, lackluster transition defense, and the leadership vacuum exposed in high-pressure moments. The hosts spotlight the Knicks’ fast-break points, the impact of Dennis Schroder’s absence, and whether the Donovan Mitchell–James Harden pairing can ever deliver postseason success. With speculation hovering over the Cavs...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts the comments from Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson that made the rounds on Sunday despite the Cavs trailing the New York Knicks 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Next, Danny breaks down Donovan Mitchell’s All-NBA honor that was announced Sunday night and finally gives one key to Monday’s Game 4. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks in embarrassing fashion. Danny begins the show by complimenting all the things that the Knicks have done well in this series, outplaying the Cavs in nearly every facet of the game. He also mentions that the Cavs lost this series in part because they did not appropriately handle business against the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons in the first two rounds of the postseason. Finally, he talks about the performances of Donovan Mitchell...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing to the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Danny begins the show by talking about how the Cavs have no one to blame but themselves. He mentions that the Cavs are trailing this series against the Knicks because of how good New York has been and because the Cavs have looked like a team that’s exhausted. Next, Danny talks about Cleveland’s inability to make 3-pointers, once again struggling on open looks from beyond the 3-point arc...

The Cleveland Cavaliers run out of gas as the New York Knicks seize control of the Eastern Conference Finals. Perimeter shooting woes and visible exhaustion defined a night where Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley couldn’t overcome a relentless Knicks squad led by Mikal Bridges and stellar role players off the bench. Despite Mobley’s efficient scoring and moments of hope from the Cavs’ big men, New York’s transition defense and fast break dominance set the tone from tip-off.

Chassity Melvin and Tim Daniel spotlight key coaching decisions, puzzling rotations, and the Cavaliers’ struggle to create...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing in Game 2 to the New York Knicks. Danny begins the show by talking about Cleveland’s process compared to its results. He disagrees with the notion that the process was excellent, due to the lack of involvement from Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the second half. Next, Danny talks about Cleveland’s defensive strategy that didn’t work against New York, though the reason for the loss falls more on the offensive side of things. Finally, Danny wraps up the show by talking about...

Cleveland Cavaliers stumble in Game 2 as cold shooting and limited support doom their Conference Finals hopes against the New York Knicks. Can Donovan Mitchell and James Harden turn the momentum at home, or are the Cavs out of answers?

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin break down the Cavaliers’ offensive struggles, from the role players' missed shots to the team’s costly shift away from inside-out basketball. Key talking points include Cleveland’s fatigue after a grueling playoff run, questions around James Harden’s leadership and effort, and whether Coach Kenny Atkinson needs to make bold lineup changes to spark...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham breaks down potential adjustments for the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. He begins the show by detailing Cleveland’s offensive process, which was very good for most of Game 1 but fell apart late in the game. Next, he looks at Cleveland’s defense and speaks about how the Cavs need to do a better job from allowing the Knicks to get into the matchups that they want to be in. Finally, Danny talks about why the Cavs can recover from Game...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers collapsing against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night. Danny begins the show handing out blame for the Cavs blowing a 22-point lead against the Knicks after playing a dominant first three quarters. Next, Danny talks about why the season for the Cavaliers might be on the line in Game 2 on Thursday night against New York. Finally, Danny breaks down some of the positive things that the Cavs did in this game to build a big lead.

Cleveland Cavaliers collapse in epic fashion as Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks rally from a 22-point deficit to seize Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Can Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs recover after questionable coaching decisions and a late-game offensive meltdown put their playoff hopes in jeopardy?

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin break down James Harden's defensive struggles against Brunson, the Cavs’ puzzling move away from the dominant double-big lineup featuring Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, and missed opportunities that swung momentum in New York’s favor. The conversation tackles Coach Atkinson’s rotation missteps, the Ca...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his three keys to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks. Danny talks about how important it is for Donovan Mitchell to be the best player in the series if the Cavs are to win, whether or not this can be a breakout series for Evan Mobley and finally gives his prediction for how the series will play out.

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham is joined by Gavin Schall of Locked On Knicks to preview the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. The show begins by Danny explaining the road to the series for the Cleveland Cavaliers, defeating both the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons in Game 7s. The guys talk about the potential impact of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley. Next, the conversation shifts to what has made the Knicks special this postseason and how the Cavs might combat the play of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ dominant victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Danny begins the show by discussing how impressive Cleveland’s victory was, handing the Pistons an embarrassing loss on their home floor to end their season. He also talks about how Donovan Mitchell was the one to set the tone for Cleveland, and the stellar performances by Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill.

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers throttling the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Danny breaks down the play of Donovan Mitchell, who starred for the Cavs in the victory. He also talks about why this was such an important moment for the group as they reach a new height as a team.

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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Cleveland Cavaliers blow out the Detroit Pistons in Game 7—Donovan Mitchell delivers a legacy performance to punch Cleveland’s ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. Is this the playoff breakthrough Cavs fans have been waiting for?

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin break down how the Cavs dominated the paint, with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen outmuscling Detroit’s frontcourt and James Harden facilitating on both ends. Key discussions include Sam Merrill’s clutch shooting off the bench, Kenny Atkinson’s lineup adjustments, and whether Cleveland’s defense can handle the star power of Jalen Brunson and the New York Kni...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers getting blown out by the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday night. Danny begins the show by criticizing the team for not playing with a high enough level of intensity from the beginning of the game, allowing the Pistons to establish themselves and build a rhythm. Next, Danny talks about the subpar play from Donovan Mitchell, who struggled in the loss. Finally, Danny looks ahead to Game 7 and explains what’s at stake on Sunday.

Check out Danny’s Su...

Cleveland Cavaliers falter at home as Detroit Pistons force a deciding Game 7—did the Cavs miss their best shot at advancing? Turnovers, poor shot selection, and a lackluster bench effort leave Donovan Mitchell and James Harden under the spotlight, while the Pistons’ bench mob, led by Paul Reed and Marcus Sasser, seizes the moment in true playoff fashion.

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin dissect what went wrong for Cleveland, breaking down disastrous shooting percentages and highlighting the Cavs’ ongoing struggles in the paint. With Jalen Duren dominating inside and Cade Cunningham’s leadership keeping Detroit alive, all eyes shi...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham previews Friday night’s Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. He begins by talking about how this game is a must-win situation for the Cavs, despite the fact that they lead the series 3-2 and aren’t facing elimination. Next, Danny talks about the things that the Cavs have done well over the past three games and the things that they can work to do better in Game 6. Finally, Danny discusses the NBA’s last two minute report from Game 5, which stated that there should not have been a foul...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers shocking the Detroit Pistons in overtime on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Danny begins the show by talking about the significance of this win for the Cavaliers, who are now on the doorstep of an Eastern Conference Finals appearance for the first time since 2018. He then breaks down how the Cavaliers were able to comeback from down by nine points thanks to huge plays by Evan Mobley. Danny also talks about James Harden’s big night and Ma...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers shocking the Detroit Pistons with an overtime victory in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Danny begins the show complimenting the mental toughness from the Cavaliers, detailing their comeback from down by nine points with less than four minutes remaining. He talks about the stellar play of James Harden, Evan Mobley and Max Strus as well as Donovan Mitchell’s big moments in overtime before briefly looking ahead to Game 6. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://thein...

Cleveland Cavaliers edge out the Detroit Pistons with James Harden’s relentless dominance and clutch overtime heroics. Is this Cleveland’s breakthrough moment in the NBA Playoffs?

Tim Daniel and Chasity Melvin break down a thrilling Cavs victory as Harden attacks the rim, racks up free throws, and snags the game’s biggest rebound. The duo highlights Max Strus’s decisive steals, Evan Mobley’s all-around impact—including key late-game threes and stout defense—and crucial contributions from Dennis Schroder and Jarrett Allen. Discussion centers on Cleveland’s adjustments, Detroit’s missed opportunities, and what it will take to close out...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham breaks down three things that the Cleveland Cavaliers have learned about the Detroit Pistons through the first four games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He begins the show by discussing how the Cavs playing with pace has been to their benefit in the past two games and how it has had an impact on both ends of the floor. Next, he breaks down how Cleveland’s defense has ignored Detroit wing Ausar Thompson and had success in doing so. Finally, Danny details the success the Cavaliers have had when attacking De...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Detroit Pistons on Monday night thanks to Donovan Mitchell’s 2nd half masterpiece. Danny begins by breaking down what made Mitchell’s performance special, given how he scored 39 points in the second half to will the Cavaliers to a victory and even up the series after four games. Next, Danny talks about the play of James Harden and Evan Mobley in the game, how those two didn’t have the output as Mitchell, but had significant impacts. Finally, Danny discusses the Cavaliers taking advant...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers taking down the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals thanks to a dominant performance from Donovan Mitchell. Danny begins the show by breaking down what made Mitchell’s performance – 43 points – so spectacular against the Pistons. Next, he talks about the excellent play of James Harden and Evan Mobley in the win.

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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Cleveland Cavaliers roar back to even their playoff series as Donovan Mitchell explodes with a historic second-half performance. Is this the spark that can carry the Cavs deeper into the postseason? Chasity Melvin and Tim Daniel spotlight Mitchell’s 38-point second half, drawing comparisons to legends like Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson, while breaking down the Cavaliers’ jaw-dropping 23-0 third-quarter run that left the Detroit Pistons stunned.

Key topics include James Harden’s clutch double-double and his “Game 4” reputation, Evan Mobley’s all-around impact with dominant defense and smart cutting, and the critical role of Cleveland’s big three. The...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham looks ahead to Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Danny breaks down potential adjustments that he thinks the Cavs and Pistons might make, with Cleveland needing to do a better job putting Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in positions to attack Detroit’s weaker defenders. 

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers taking down the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Danny begins the show by talking about James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, both delivering exactly what the Cavs needed to win throughout the game, as well as Max Strus who came up with clutch defensive plays throughout the night. Next, Danny talks about what the Cavs have discovered about the Pistons through three games, including what their offensive strategy should be moving forward. Finally, Danny talks about the lineup change that Cavs head...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers taking down the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Danny begins the show by talking about the clutch play from James Harden, who led the Cavaliers to victory with big shots in the fourth quarter. Next, he talks about Donovan Mitchell and how this matchup appears to be favorable for him given the way that Detroit defends. Finally, Danny talks about Max Strus and Dennis Schroder, who both had an impact off the bench.

Check out Danny’s...

Cleveland Cavaliers survive a thriller as James Harden silences critics with a dominant fourth quarter to spark a pivotal playoff win over the Detroit Pistons. Can Harden and Donovan Mitchell’s dynamic performances propel the Cavs deeper into the postseason?

Chastity Melvin and Tim Daniel break down Harden’s late-game heroics, Mitchell’s double-double, and crucial energy plays from Max Strus and Jarrett Allen. The analysis spotlights Mobley and Allen’s impact in the paint, key defensive adjustments, and how the Cavaliers reasserted themselves after a draining Raptors series. Can Cleveland limit turnovers and control Cade Cunningham’s attack m...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham reacts to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing Game 2 to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night. Danny opens up the show by talking about the slow start that the Cavs got off to against the Pistons, falling behind by as many as 14 points early before fighting back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Next, Danny talks about the team’s poor 3-point shooting being the biggest reason for the loss and Donovan Mitchell as the team’s bright spot. Finally, Danny talks about Saturday’s Game 3 and what the Cavs must d...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham gives his instant reaction to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing Game 2 to the Detroit Pistons. Danny begins the show by talking about the things that went wrong for the Cavs, including the team’s inability to hit open shots and make timely plays. He then shifts the conversation to the encouraging play of Donovan Mitchell and the subpar game from James Harden.

Check out Danny’s Substack, The Inside Shot: https://theinsideshot.substack.com/

Email the show: LOCavsmailbag@gmail.com

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Cleveland Cavaliers slump to 0-2 against Detroit Pistons as James Harden's struggles continue—is the season slipping away?

shooting (7-of-32 from deep), missed opportunities for Evan Mobley, and glaring issues with James Harden’s focus, aggression, and defense. The conversation highlights Donovan Mitchell’s standout performance, Jarrett Allen’s impact, Detroit’s disciplined home-court advantage, and key matchups—especially Tobias Harris dominating inside and Cade Cunningham closing out late. With Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and bench rotations coming into question, the hosts debate whether the Cavs can revive their interior offense and adjust their strategy for Game 3 in...

On this edition of Locked On Cavs, Danny Cunningham breaks down the adjustments that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make entering Game 2 of their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. Danny begins the show by talking about how the Cavaliers need to do a better job taking care of the basketball and making some of the quality shots that they were able to create in Game 1. Next, Danny talks about the potential changes to the starting lineup that the team could make in Game 2, suggesting to swap Jaylon Tyson for Dean Wade in the first five. Finally, Danny talks...

Cleveland Cavaliers search for answers after a sloppy Game 1 loss to the Detroit Pistons—are turnovers their Achilles’ heel, or will leadership deliver in Game 2? Tim Daniel, Danny Cunningham, and Chasity Melvin break down the Cavs’ slow start, James Harden’s uncharacteristic mistakes, and the critical importance of setting the tone on the road. Donovan Mitchell’s limited free throw attempts, Evan Mobley’s defensive battle against Jalen Duren, and the impact of Jarrett Allen’s foul trouble come under sharp scrutiny.

Rotation questions loom large as Sam Merrill’s status, Max Strus’s spark, and the potential X-factor...