Kenny Atkinson wants the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a key offensive shift ahead of Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons.
The Cleveland Cavaliers gave their season new life on Saturday, winning Game 3 against the Detroit Pistons, 116-109.
There was a lot to like about this win, especially in the first half, but there were also some areas the Cavaliers need to look at on film and fix heading into Game 4 on Monday.
One shift Kenny Atkinson especially wants to see with his team is getting Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen more involved on offense.
In Cleveland’s tremendous first-half offensive outburst, Allen and Mobley combined for 21 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while shooting a clean 8-for-11 from the floor. But in the third quarter, when the Pistons came back from a 17-point deficit, the duo only combined for three points on three shot attempts.
Cleveland’s head coach made it clear after the game that the team needs to keep these big men involved throughout the entire game.
When it came to keeping Allen and Mobley active throughout the game, Atkinson explained, “I would say, we have to do it more. We aren't rewarding those guys enough.”
"I know on film tomorrow. We're going to have five [plays] where they got deep seals, or they, we have the pocket. We, we got to involve them more.”
May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesHow do the Cavaliers make sure the big men remain a focus? It starts with the guards' shot selection.
“We're not winning this series, just jacking threes,” said Atkinson. “There's probably five [shots] tonight where you're like, man, get to the rim. We're throwing it to our big guys who got a deep seal. So, we have to shift our, offensive mentality a little bit, you know, going forward in this series.”
Atkinson did specify that he wants the team to take the open threes, but the team must also recognize the mismatches and keep the paint active. In a perfect world, Cleveland keeping their scoring threats active down low and in the paint should create more open three pointers that the Cavaliers can hit.
Clearly, this strategy worked in the first half of the game, and it’s one that must continue in Game 4 as well if the Cavaliers hope to tie up the series before it heads back to Detroit later in the week.
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