Cavs finally give a big lead the protection it deserves

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers have already demonstrated they can build a lead. What happens afterward has been considerably less dependable.

Friday offered a better answer. When the Sixers pushed back, the Cavs kept playing aggressively instead of giving them a chance to take over.

“We have to continue to be aggressive with these leads,” Kenny Atkinson said. “That’s our new mentality. It was great. The whole team was aware of it.”

That was the most encouraging part of a convincing win over a team that arrived at 8-1. The Cavs have enough talent to put together impressive stretches. Their challenge is sustaining the effort and execution when an opponent makes its inevitable run.

Donovan Mitchell approached the night like someone who had heard enough about that problem.

“He feels the moment,” Atkinson said. “He knows we needed this win. He’s got a great sense of the moment when he’s got to turn it up. He made some great passes too. He was very aggressive tonight.”

Mitchell helped establish the tone, Evan Mobley delivered at center with Jarrett Allen sidelined, and James Harden got scoring help from throughout the rotation.

But Atkinson’s explanation for the result began at the other end.

“Defense. Peyton Watson. Big difference. I thought the job he did on [Tyrese] Maxey was excellent. It was great having him back,” Atkinson said. “When I talk about doing a better job protecting the paint, we limited their rim attempts. Offense was so-so but you can’t have everything.”

Watson’s return gave the Cavs another defender to send at Maxey. Mobley helped make the interior difficult. LeBron James and Joel Embiid combined to shoot 3-of-21.

For Mitchell, James’ presence didn’t change the assignment.

“He deserves all that and more for what he’s done for the city,” Mitchell said of the reception James received. “But at this point, I feel like it’s just regular and we’re just out here trying to compete. We want to win a championship here, so for us, it’s normal.”

That’s the proper perspective. Respect the history, then handle the opponent.

The Cavs did that Friday to reach 5-4. With the defending champion Knicks visiting Saturday, they immediately get another chance to show that protecting a lead can become a habit.

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