Cavs still believe in James Harden: ‘We’re not sitting here worried’

The numbers are not pretty. The Cavaliers’ belief has not changed.

James Harden’s postseason struggles continued in the Cavs’ 107-97 road loss to the Pistons in Game 2, finishing with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, missing all four attempts from three and committing four turnovers.

It is the second straight game in this series and fourth time this postseason he has had more turnovers than made field goals.

And yet, inside the Cavs’ locker room, there is no panic.

“He’s James Harden; we’re not sitting here worried,” Donovan Mitchell told reporters after scoring 31 points. “He’s going to figure this out.”

Cleveland will need that to happen quickly.

The Cavs are down 0-2 as the series shifts home, and Harden has yet to find any real rhythm. He was scoreless in the first and fourth quarters Thursday and took just two shots in the entire second half.

“Just missing shots,” Harden said. “Second half, I think I took two shots, but the ball was moving. We’re getting better shots. So, just picking and choosing my spots and figuring out what works.”

Coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to the offense, not the player.

“Can’t have our Hall of Famer taking two shots in the second half,” he said. “I’ll take that one.”

There were flashes of what Cleveland envisioned when it made the midseason move to acquire Harden. There were also moments that showed how far it still has to go.

Spacing. Rhythm. Timing.

“You think of just little things,” Mitchell said. “Trying to get him easier looks… We’re just getting on the same page. We’ll be fine.”

That is the message. The Cavs believe this is fixable. They believe Harden will find it. They believe it will click.

Now they have to prove it.