Dribbles: Cavs get the win, but why must they make it so difficult?

Random dribbles on the Cavaliers’ 125-121 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets in Saturday’s home opener.

1. I said before the season that I thought these Cavaliers could be a frustrating bunch. I really didn’t want to be right. But two games into the season, I’m feeling pretty good about that prediction. Unfortunately.

2. Listen, it’s a win. The Cavs are 1-1, and they’ll gladly take it. But for Pete’s sake, can they just get a big lead and keep it? Is that asking too much?

3. Apparently, it is. On Thursday, the Cavs blew a 29-point lead and lost to the 76ers. On Saturday, they led the Nets by 22 and nearly did it again. This time, they escaped. So that’s progress, I suppose.

4. The bigger question is why this keeps happening. The Cavs are supposed to be legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Nets aren’t supposed to make the playoffs. Yet there was Brooklyn, making things awfully uncomfortable in the final minute at Rocket Arena.

5. I realize it’s early. There are 80 games to go, and plenty of time to figure things out. At this rate, though, it might take the Cavs all 80 to learn how to close out a game. I’m kidding. I think.

6. What’s especially maddening is how good the Cavs can look when they’re rolling. They led by 14 at halftime, quickly pushed the advantage to 18, then eventually to 22. Donovan Mitchell was doing his thing. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were producing. The offense was clicking. Everything looked just fine.

7. Then came the fourth quarter. Brooklyn scored 41 points, buried nine 3-pointers and forced eight Cleveland turnovers. Eight turnovers in one quarter. The Cavs finished with 23 for the game. That’s not going to cut it, regardless of the opponent.

8. Interestingly, coach Kenny Atkinson talked before the game about how leads disappear in today’s NBA. He pointed to turnovers and the 3-point shot. Well, the Nets provided a pretty good demonstration of both. Atkinson probably would’ve preferred a different example.

9. Now, let’s give the Cavs some credit. Mitchell finished with 22 points, Allen added 21 and Mobley went for 20 points and 10 rebounds. That’s the kind of balance you want to see. Allen was particularly efficient, making seven of his eight shots.

10. I also liked what Jaylon Tyson gave them off the bench. He finished with 15 points and continues to show he can be a valuable contributor. Peyton Watson added 11. There were plenty of positives here, and we don’t want those getting lost in all the late-game nonsense.

11. But it’s hard to ignore what happened down the stretch. The Nets cut the deficit to two points in the closing seconds, and suddenly the sellout crowd was wondering if it was about to witness another disaster. Sam Merrill finally gave everyone some relief by sinking two free throws.

12. Good for Merrill. Somebody needed to finish the job. The Cavs spent the final moments making a game that should’ve been over feel like a playoff elimination contest. Against Brooklyn. In October.

13. As I wrote after the season-opening collapse in Philadelphia, the Cavs spent an entire offseason trying to move past the way last season ended. Remember, they also blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead against the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. These aren’t necessarily isolated incidents anymore.

14. Again, I don’t want to go overboard here. It’s two games. The Cavs have plenty of talent, plenty of experience and plenty of reasons to believe they can be very good. They also have a win now, which is considerably better than the alternative. But good teams don’t just build leads. They protect them. The Cavs need to get back to doing that.

15. Up next are the Timberwolves on Monday night. Another game, another opportunity to improve. I actually think the Cavs will be fine over the course of the season. I just hope they figure out how to finish off opponents before the rest of us need medical attention.