The Cleveland Cavaliers had either the best or the second-best record in the league all year long.
Clearly, their approach worked.
That’s why Kenny Atkinson feels regretful about moving on from what worked for him during the regular season.
When asked about the Game 2 loss, the coach admitted that he shouldn’t have shortened his rotation, as the players looked exhausted and gassed out down the stretch:
“We ran out of gas,” Atkinson said. “My only regret is not playing more guys, we shortened the rotation, obviously. … That’s my sole regret.”
The Cavs only played nine players in Game 2, but Javonte Green (10 minutes) and Craig Porter Jr. (3 minutes) barely set foot on the court.
Even so, it’s hard to blame coach Atkinson here, given that three of his most important players were out.
Darius Garland has now missed the past four games with a toe injury.
Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter missed the game with an ankle and thumb injury, respectively.
Despite the injuries, the Cavs were still in control for most of the game.
That should be an encouraging sign, especially considering how much Ty Jerome struggled with his shot and that Donovan Mitchell still hasn’t found his stroke from beyond the arc.
The series will now move to Indianapolis for the next two games, and the Cavs will need their star players to suit up and play through injury if they don’t want this once-promising season to come to an abrupt end.
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