Dribbles: Cavs top Magic, but Kenny Atkinson sounds alarm on defense

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 136-131 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

1. If you only attended the postgame press conference, you may have thought that the Cavaliers lost.

2. “When you win like this, it doesn’t feel like a win,” Donovan Mitchell said, diplomatically.

3. And this is a guy who finished the game with 42 points on 14-of-22 shooting (and 7-of-11 on threes).

4. Coach Kenny Atkinson was even more blunt. “I just told the team in the locker room, if we’re gonna defend like this, we’re gonna have a short playoff stint,” he said. “Right now, we have the mentality that we’ll just outscore people. We all know come playoff time that it’s not that easy.”

5. In two seasons, I never saw Atkinson quite like this — not even after a loss. Nearly his entire postgame message was about the defense. He had almost nothing nice to say.

6. Atkinson cited the Cavs’ “compete level” and “IQ level.” Then he talked about the playoff rotation. He suggested that those who don’t defend well will be left out.

7. Keep in mind that Atkinson wasn’t just talking about this one game. It’s been an issue for much of the season, especially lately. “And I don’t want to hear about how we’re missing Jarrett Allen …” he said, his voice trailing. 

8. In other words, no excuses. The coach wants the players to bend their knees, shuffle their feet and start giving real effort at that end.

9. Mitchell agreed: “He’s not wrong. You love when the coach is honest with you. The intensity is there. Now it’s about the mental things. … It’s a mentality, it’s a decision.”

10. He wasn’t finished. “We gave gave up 131 points,” Mitchell said. “Even when we got stops, we weren’t rebounding the ball.”

11. Atkinson and Mitchell are merely echoing what a lot of fans have been saying. We watch. We know the weaknesses. You don’t have to be perfect, “but we do have to be better,” Mitchell said.

12. By the way, the Cavs (45-27) have won four straight. Not always impressively, mind you — but they’re still closing games. Perhaps part of the problem is that they CAN just outscore people. Then again, as the coach suggested, that’s not really sustainable when the games mean a whole lot more.

13. Positives? Mitchell was flat out remarkable after struggling a little (for him) during the previous three games.

14. Also, James Harden went for 26 points and seven assists. One of the assists was an amazing behind-the-back heave to Max Strus at the top of the three-point arc. Harden was doubled-teamed and in the air near the basket. How he even saw Strus open … well, that’s why Harden is a Hall of Famer.

15. And yes, Strus buried the three. Can’t miss that one. 

16. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley was utterly aggressive in finishing 8-of-8 from the field for 19 points (and nine rebounds). He had more than a few monster jams, almost all of which he created on his own.

17. Sam Merrill also scored 19, and he is getting in the paint considerably more often these days. Strus added 11 and both Strus and Thomas Bryant tacked on some endless energy.

18. Again, offense is almost never a problem with this group.

19. Atkinson said before the game that Allen is getting closer (full story here). He added that Jaylon Tyson (toe) isn’t expected to be out too long. Dare I say that the Cavs could be at full strength for the playoffs?

20. Paolo Banchero led the Magic (38-34) with 36 points. I don’t know how you defend that guy. The Cavs sure can’t. No one can. I wouldn’t want to see Orlando with Banchero and a healthy Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. I think the Cavs would win a series. I don’t think it would be anything close to easy.

21. Alright, I’ve said enough. The Cavs are back home Wednesday against Miami. Atkinson mentioned that — and said it’s another opportunity to shore up the defense. So, we shall see.

• BOX SCORE | Cavs 136, Magic 131
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