Zion has not played against the Cavs since April 21, 2021, nearly three years. Last year he missed both games and the year before that he missed the whole season.
But in that 2021 game he was 16-for-22 for 38 points in 36 minutes. He also had 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and blocked 2 shots.
A month earlier he went 9-for-16 for 23 points in 18 minutes in a 34-point win. Combine the two games and in 2021 he was 25-for-38 with 61 points in 54 minutes against the Cavs.
To be fair, in the April game the Cavs' starting lineup was Hartenstein, Love, Wade, Okoro, and Dellavedova. (Wow!) Prince, Lamar Stevens, Cedi, and Kabengele came off the bench. What a roster!
Steven Adams was the Pels' center so I assume Zion was guarded by Love and maybe Stevens or Tashaun Prince.
In the other game Allen started at center with Love and Larry Nance Jr at the forwards. So I can see why Zion feasted in 2021 with guys like Kevin Love, Nance, and Stevens guarding him.
But tonight it will probably be Niang when we really need Wade or Mobley. At least Mobley's length might bother him.
Zion takes 71% of his shots at the rim, 27% short mid-range, and 2% are 3's. He makes 67% of his shots at the rim and 37% from mid-range. He is fouled on 20% of his shot attempts, putting him in the 93rd percentile among bigs.