What to watch for tonight as the Cavs open up the Q against the Charlotte Bobcats:

Can the Cavs dominate a much weaker opponent?

The Cavs have a history of letdowns against weaker opponents during the regular season. It's not every night, but it happens, and it's one of those things that keeps them from having a truly exceptional record in the regular season. In the 06-07 campaign, the Cavs followed up wins against the Wizards and the Spurs with losses to the Bobcats and the Hawks. Last season, the Cavs lost 3-out-of-4 to the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets, three teams that didn't make the playoffs in the East.

Now the Charlotte Bobcats come to town, with a new head coach in Larry Brown. They should have no chance against a talented, experienced team like the Cavaliers on the road. If the Cavs are committed to winning in the regular season, they need to put this Charlotte team out of it's misery by the end of the 3rd Quarter, especially with two very tough road games coming up against the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Hornets. Otherwise all that talk about the importance of the regular season will continue to be that - just talk.

Were the offensive problems of the first game a matter of a great Celtics defense, or the same old crummy offense?

The Cavaliers offense looked as bad as ever in the second half, managing only 35 points and consistently dribbling out the shot clock before hoisting ill-advised perimeter jumpers. It was a miserable sight, but some credit goes to the Celtics defense, which was tremendous last season and the key component to their championship run. As frustrating as it was, there's no reason to sound the alarm quite yet.

But tonight the Cavs are at home, playing a Bobcats team was middle-of-the-pack defensively last season. While Larry Brown should improve that Charlotte defense, odds are the Bobcats are still adjusting to his system. There should be plenty of opportunities for the Cavaliers as the Bobcats miss assignments and forget where they're supposed to be. This should be a solid get-well game for the offense, and really for the team as a whole. And again, they would really like to get rolling before heading to Dallas and New Orleans.

See anything you like?

Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats is one of the players that Cavaliers fans covet most, an athletic forward who can get up and down the floor and is a very solid defender. Rumor is that he's not a great fit for the Larry Brown system, and the Bobcats are notoriously tight with money, and might be willing to take an uneven trade if it works for their financial bottom line. I don't think Brown is willing to let go of one of his more talented players at the moment, but as the season wears on don't be surprised if Wallace ends up back on the trading block.

Go Cavs. Send the crowd home happy tonight.