Phoenix Suns vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 20, 2025

The Phoenix Suns get their first look at the Cleveland Cavaliers this season on Monday. Phoenix, which swept the season series last season, hopes to maintain its dominance over Cleveland. Jusuf Nurkic remains out while Bradley Beal is questionable for the Suns.

The Cavaliers (35-6) own the best record in the NBA but have been alternating wins and losses in their last five games. Evan Mobley is still out with a right calf strain but the core of Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are healthy.

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Phoenix Suns vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report

Phoenix Suns injury report

TyTy Washington Jr. and Jalen Bridges did not travel to Cleveland after he was assigned to the G League. Jusuf Nurkic is not available as he is still ramping up his conditioning for a return. Bradley Beal is questionable due to a left ankle sprain.

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report

Isaac Okoro (right shoulder sprain) and Evan Mobley (right calf strain) will be in street clothes when the Cavaliers host the Suns on Monday. Luke Traverse and Emoni Bates are unavailable because of their G League assignment.

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Phoenix Suns vs Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineups and depth chart

Phoenix Suns starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Tyus Jones	Monte Morris	Damion Lee
Devin Booker	Bradley Beal	Grayson Allen
Ryan Dunn	Royce O'Neale
Kevin Durant	Oso Ighodaro	Bol Bol
Mason Plumlee	Nick Richards

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Darius Garland	Craig Porter Jr.	Jaylon Tyson
Caris LeVert	Sam Merrill	Ty Jerome
Donovan Mitchell	Max Strus
Dean Wade	Georges Niang	JT Thor
Jarrett Allen	Tristan Thompson

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Phoenix Suns vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Key matchups

Kevin Durant vs Dean Wade

Fans are robbed of a mouthwatering Kevin Durant versus Evan Mobley duel after the Cavs defensive ace suffered a calf strain. Without Mobley, Dean Wade gets the unenviable task of slowing down the former MVP.

Durant recently dropped 36 points on the Detroit Pistons and is averaging 26.6 points per game in January. Cleveland’s chances of winning on the road increase if Wade holds up well against the Slim Reaper.

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Donovan Mitchell vs Devin Booker

Two of the most explosive scorers in the NBA go head-to-head on Monday in Cleveland. Both have been playing well this season, so the matchup could decide the winner of the Suns-Cavs game. Devin Booker often plays point guard late in games, so he could be shadowing Darius Garland. Still, there will be stretches when Book and Spida go mano-a-mano.

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Nick Richards vs Jarrett Allen

The Suns traded for Nick Richards to shore up their frontcourt. Richards came off the bench but played more minutes than starter Mason Plumlee and delivered immediately with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Jalen Duren and the Pistons.

Richards goes up against Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers’ center, an excellent rebounder who relishes contact in the paint. If Richards continues to be effective and ends up canceling the production from Allen, the Suns would make it tough for Cleveland to win.

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Bradley Beal vs Darius Garland

If cleared to play, a matchup between Darius Garland and Bradley Beal will add excitement to the Phoenix Suns' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyus Jones will likely start on Garland but Beal will get his chances as well.

The Cleveland offense, the best in the NBA this season, hums because of Garland. To beat the Cavs, Beal and Jones must step up on the defensive end.