Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson weighing lineups with playoffs looming

With the playoffs right around the bend, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is still sorting through what his starting and closing lineups will look like.

That’s not necessarily a surprise. Atkinson has plenty from which to choose.

For starters, as noted by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Dean Wade’s return to the starting five on Wednesday after a seven-game absence due to an ankle sprain could be telling. Wade stepped right back into that role, something Atkinson acknowledged carries weight.

“We have the data, how good he’s been with that group,” Atkinson said. “We’ve been struggling a little bit defensively. He obviously adds that element and when he makes a three(-pointer) or two like he did, that helps us tremendously.”

Availability, of course, remains a major factor.

Wade, Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill and Max Strus have rarely all been healthy at the same time, appearing together in just two games this season. So yeah, that has made it difficult for the Cavs to establish a consistent rotation heading into the postseason.

On Wednesday, with Wade on a minutes restriction and Tyson still sidelined due to a toe injury, it was Merrill who closed the game.

“I feel confident with Sam’s ability,” Atkinson said. “That’s the hard one. You’re going to have probably three, four people to choose from, I would think. You guys are going to say, ‘Why didn’t you play this guy?’ So, we’ve got to make those decisions, we’ve got to make the right decisions under pressure.”

Either way, the Cavs have lots of options. Soon, the choices will matter a whole lot more.