The Cleveland Cavaliers only have three games to go in the regular season before the NBA playoffs begin. How should the team handle its last handful of contests, and what more can be learned?
Spencer German and Spencer Davies discuss what more can be learned about the Cleveland Cavaliers and the final stretch run before the NBA playoffs in the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs.
With only three games left to go in the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched a top-four seed and home-court advantage in the first round. Sporting a 50-29 record, two of their last three games will be at Rocket Arena before the NBA playoffs.
As of Wednesday, the Cavs could finish as the third seed or fourth seed, depending on what happens with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics over the next few days. Cleveland could also control its own destiny if it wants to, since it can't drop in the standings.
Topics of the latest show include the following:
- The Cavs will be seeing the Atlanta Hawks for a home-and-home series this week. As likely playoff opponents, will either team show its hand over the next three days? How should Cleveland approach utilizing a roster that has been banged up, but still needs reps together to get ready for the weeks ahead?
- Following up on that question, should the Wine and Gold be trying to avoid the Celtics at all costs by staying in the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference? If the Cavs lose out, they will have guaranteed a path in the postseason that would, in all likelihood, see them match up with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the second round. By the same token, it's never smart to mess with the basketball gods.
- What are the aspects of Cleveland's group that need to improve? Despite winning 13 of its last 18 games, there are noticeable flaws that must be figured out before the postseason. Many of the wins in March were closely contested and didn't show much attention to detail on defense. Additionally, a good chunk of those were comeback wins, requiring second-half comebacks or fourth-quarter rallies.
- Among those shortcomings, however, the Cavs have registered a 50-win season for the third time in the last four years, which is a remarkable feat. Kenny Atkinson has not had his full cast of characters available for the majority of it, and he's had to throw out 39 different starting lineups to this point. Winning under these circumstances is a testament to the culture in the organization.
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