Cavs’ Winning Formula: Speed, Simplification, And Chemistry Driving Dominance

Everything is going great for the Cavaliers, thank you for asking, entering Wednesday’s hyped home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (7 p.m., EST).

As you know, Cleveland sits atop the NBA with a 31-4 record, including a 10-game winning streak. Their success has been fueled in part by a notable shift in playing style, as the Cavs are now operating at the sixth-fastest pace in the NBA, a dramatic leap from their 22nd-place finish in pace last season.

According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, new Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, has earned widespread praise from coaches and scouts around the league for embracing the strengths of his roster while implementing his preferred up-tempo style.

One scout pointed out how the change has benefited key players.

“It’s exactly the way Kenny wants to play,” the scout said. “The speed with which they play is so advantageous for (Evan Mobley) and (Darius Garland), and it also helps cover up deficiencies for other players. … They’ve simplified things from last year.”

While Cleveland’s pace and overall play have been a key factor in their dominant regular-season record, there remains some skepticism about how the Cavaliers will fare in the postseason.

One assistant coach expressed concerns over how the team’s style will translate when the intensity ramps up.

“I think they’re a really good regular-season team, but when the game slows down and is more targeted, I have some concerns,” he said. “Can (Donovan Mitchell) and Darius make a bunch of shots when that happens? That’ll be the biggest question.”

Despite these postseason questions, the Cavaliers’ impressive first half has made them one of the league’s most talked-about teams. Clearly, they face a significant test on Wednesday as they take on the Western Conference-leading Thunder, who are riding a 15-game winning streak of their own.

As the February 6 trade deadline approaches, Cleveland’s front office has been cautious about making any moves that could disrupt the team’s chemistry. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports that while the Cavaliers aren’t ruling out a trade, they are hesitant to make any large deals. Any move they make would likely need to provide a clear and substantial on-court upgrade to even be considered.

With the Cavaliers’ success built on a mix of speed and talent, it remains to be seen how they will adjust to the postseason grind. But for now, Atkinson’s up-tempo approach has them riding high at the top of the NBA standings.