MATTHEW Dellavedova is confident the Cleveland Cavaliers can produce their best basketball at the business end of the NBA season.
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The return of LeBron James to Cleveland in the off-season sparked high expectations for the Cavs in 2014-15.
When the much-hyped Cavs made a slow start to the NBA season winning just six of their first 13 games, questions were raised about Cleveland’s form on and off the court.
Dellavedova told SEN 1116 that the Cavs were on the right track.
“Off the court the chemistry has been great from the start,’’ Dellavedova said.
“The on-court stuff was always going to take some time. We’re finding our way there and it can only get better as the season goes on.”
The Cavs have turned the corner, winning eight of their past 10 games to have the fifth best record in the eastern conference.
The Maryborough native has recently returned from a knee injury that saw him miss a month of action.
“It’s always a process coming back from injury, but we play that many games that it doesn’t take much to get back into game shape and game touch,’’ Dellavedova said.
“I’m feeling good now.”
Dellavedova averaged seven points, four rebounds and four assists per game in his first three games back from injury.
He also earned some high praise from his coach David Blatt and team-mates, including James.
Dellavedova said he was trying to learn as much from James as he could.
“He (James) sets a great example at training and whenever you get a chance you want to pick his brain and see what he does that makes him some good,’’ he said.
“He really tries to get as much as can out of himself, so it’s always good to have a chat to him to see what he’s working on or what he’s doing off the court to take care of his body.”
Dellavedova said playing and training alongside the likes of James and Kyrie Irving was a dream come true.
“There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing than just getting to play basketball all the time,’’ he said.
“My job is to look for ways to improve which is what you’ve always done growing up.
“It’s pretty awesome, I’ve just got to make the most of it each day.”