The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks, highlighting some areas of concern for the team. Despite a strong start to the season with a 17-1 record, the Cavs were outrebounded by Atlanta and struggled to keep up with their young, athletic, and fast-paced style of play.
Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed disappointment in his team’s lack of physicality and challenged them to show character and make defensive stops. The Cavs allowed 135 and 136 points in the two losses to Atlanta, with the defense failing to make necessary adjustments in the third quarter.
Despite Donovan Mitchell’s poor shooting performance in the second game, the Cavs were not able to compensate for the lack of scoring from other players. Coach Atkinson acknowledged that the team’s shooting percentage dropped significantly in the losses to the Hawks, emphasizing the need for the Cavs to adapt their offensive strategy when shots are not falling.
Evan Mobley emerged as a standout player for the Cavs, demonstrating his ability to punish Atlanta’s defense inside. However, the team will need other players like Jarrett Allen to step up and contribute offensively, especially when three-point shots are not falling.
Moving forward, the Cavs must work on developing more grit, improving their defense, and finding alternative ways to win games when scoring is difficult. Coach Atkinson remains confident in the team’s potential for growth but acknowledges the need for improvement in key areas to maintain their success in the competitive NBA.
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