Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson comfortable with slower style: ‘We’re still efficient’

The Cavaliers may not be playing fast, but they are playing well. And that is just fine with coach Kenny Atkinson.

Cleveland showed exactly what that looks like in Wednesday’s 122-116 win over the Hawks at Rocket Arena. The Cavs took over with one of their best quarters of the season, outscoring Atlanta 44-20 in the third behind a defense that consistently turned into offense.

That performance fits a larger trend.

As noted by Zach Kram of ESPN, the Cavs have leaned into a slower style after their midseason changes. Since the arrival of James Harden, they’ve dropped from eighth in pace to 24th — but have also climbed to fourth in offensive efficiency over that same stretch.

“Yeah, we’re playing slower, but we’re still an efficient offensive team,” Atkinson said. “It’s not like I’m in the locker room saying, ‘We’ve got to get back to playing fast.’ None of that.”

Instead, the Cavs are focused on control. With Harden orchestrating, they are limiting mistakes, working the half court and picking their spots, something that showed up clearly in the win over Atlanta.

The timing is notable.

Cleveland is essentially locked into the No. 4 seed in the East, though it sits one game behind the Knicks for third with two to play. The Hawks currently hold the No. 5 spot, meaning Wednesday’s matchup could be a preview of a first-round series. The teams meet again Friday in Atlanta.

The Cavs then close the regular season Sunday at home against the Wizards.

Style may not be flashy. But for the Cavs, it is been working offensively. They just need the defense to match.

At this point in the season, that is all that matters.