The Cavaliers are in the midst of an offensive renaissance, leading the NBA in nearly every meaningful category, and it’s not just about scoring points — it’s about how they’re doing it.
From efficiency to movement, the Cavs are showing a level of offensive dominance that’s been a long time coming, and it’s all coming together in the form of one of the league’s most complete teams.
As of January, Cleveland owns the league’s most efficient offense, leading in 2-point percentage, 3-point percentage, and true shooting percentage. They also boast the best assist-to-turnover ratio, an indicator of just how well they’re controlling the game on that end of the floor.
But wait. There’s more. The Cavaliers lead the league in corner 3s, a traditionally reliable sign of offensive flow and spacing. No team has been more effective in clutch situations, scoring an eye-popping 154 points per 100 possessions in high-pressure moments.
And perhaps most notably, the Cavs score at will in transition, an area that was a clear focus for first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson in the offseason.
“We’d have three guys — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and sometimes Caris LeVert — waiting in the backcourt to bring the ball up after a rebound,” Atkinson told ESPN. “It wasn’t revolutionary; we just wanted guys to run without the ball. We call it selfless running.”
That shift has helped Cleveland go from 24th in pace last season to now owning the 6th-fastest offense in the league.
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. In 2022, the Cavs showed immense potential, finishing with the second-highest net rating in the NBA during Mitchell’s first season and Evan Mobley‘s rookie campaign.
That squad was already elite defensively, but the offense was merely solid, ranking 7th in efficiency.
If history tells us anything, teams with top-10 ratings on both sides of the ball are more likely to contend for championships, and Cleveland was already knocking on that door.
Now, with Atkinson leading the charge, the Cavs have figured out how to unlock that offense. Atkinson, who was hired in June after a successful run as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, has emphasized maximizing Mobley’s unique skill set.
Mobley has more than doubled his pick-and-roll ball-handling attempts from last season, and the results speak for themselves — his play in the pick-and-roll is up by five points per 100 possessions, now generating 110 points per 100 plays.
The offensive improvements have had a ripple effect across the roster. Jarrett Allen turned in a standout performance last week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Mobley is playing at a career-high level, driving more frequently and knocking down 42% of his 3-point attempts. Garland, who made his first All-Star appearance in 2022, is now more efficient than ever, ranking as the best pick-and-roll ball handler in the NBA in terms of points per play.
And then there’s Mitchell. The All-Star guard has seen his scoring, assists, and minutes dip this season, but it’s by design.
After being sidelined at the end of last season due to injury, Mitchell has played the fewest minutes of his career, thanks in part to the Cavs’ blowout victories. The strategy is clear: keep Mitchell fresh for the long haul, especially when the games really start to matter come playoff time.
With all these pieces clicking, the Cavaliers look every bit like a title contender. They’ve built a roster that thrives on selfless basketball, an efficient offense that doesn’t rely on any one player, and a defense that can lock down when needed.
If they keep this up, the Cavs could be one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason — and perhaps even a real threat to bring home a championship.
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