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Wine and Gold Talk Podcast

Wine and Gold Talk Podcast

By: cleveland.com - Advance Local
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 Get the latest news and analysis about the Cleveland Cavaliers from Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and special guests on cleveland.com.Advance Local LLC Basketball Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Reacting to the Cavs' disheartening Game 4 loss to the Raptors that tied the series 2-2

    Reacting to the Cavs' disheartening Game 4 loss to the Raptors that tied the series 2-2
    Apr 27 2026
    In the latest episode of the Wine and Gold podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' frustrating 93-89 Game 4 loss to the Toronto Raptors, which tied their first-round playoff series at 2-2. The analysts criticize the Cavaliers for their recurring mental fragility, alarming late-game collapses, and failure to adjust to Toronto's physical defensive pressure. Star players like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are called out for their lack of urgency and poor execution, while head coach Kenny Atkinson faces scrutiny for being out-coached. As the series shifts back to Cleveland, the guys emphasize that the team must abandon its complacent attitude, or they risk a disastrous early postseason exit that would spark sweeping offseason personnel changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • How critical is Game 4 to deciding the first-round series between the Cavs and Raptors?

    How critical is Game 4 to deciding the first-round series between the Cavs and Raptors?
    Apr 25 2026
    In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands and cleveland.com columnist Jimmy Watkins preview a critical Game 4 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors after Toronto cut the series deficit to 2-1. The discussion centers on the resurfacing of the Cavaliers' historical playoff struggles, specifically physical fatigue, perimeter defense lapses, and struggles to contain Scottie Barnes and Toronto's transition offense. While Sands advocates for adjusting the rotation slightly by playing the energetic but inexperienced Craig Porter Jr. over struggling veteran Dennis Schroder, Watkins argues that Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson is highly unlikely to abandon his trusted veterans in a high-stakes playoff environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Reacting to the Cavs’ Game 3 loss to the Raptors and what could be repeatable for Toronto

    Reacting to the Cavs’ Game 3 loss to the Raptors and what could be repeatable for Toronto
    Apr 24 2026
    In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins analyze the primary factors behind the Cavs’ Game 3 defeat, focusing on Cleveland’s season-high 22 turnovers and Toronto’s imposing physicality. The discussion highlights the Raptors' outlier offensive performance — including shooting nearly 61% from three-point range — and how their relentless defensive pressure successfully exhausted star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Furthermore, the hosts heavily criticize the lack of assertiveness and paint protection from Cleveland's starting big men, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, emphasizing the serious need for the Cavaliers to match Toronto's aggressive energy and make structural adjustments heading into Game 4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
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