Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were an anxious team when they played at Rocket Arena. That is not the case now.
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With Christmas Day approaching, the Cavs face the Charlotte Hornets tonight (Monday) after losing three in a row and five of the last six. That includes an overtime loss to the Hornets, where they were embarrassingly held scoreless in overtime.
If ever a performance summed up Cleveland’s current form, it was this game. Now they’re taking on the Hornets again, and this time it’s personal.
Without a doubt, for Cleveland there needs to be more urgency on offense, more energy on defense and better communication and awareness as a team. If the rumors about team owner Dan Gilbert are indeed true, we could get that against the Hornets.
Gilbert is reportedly very unhappy with the team’s current form, and sources have told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that he is actively becoming more involved in team affairs. Something that could be a game-changer, but with the million dollar question of whether it’s good or bad?
The injury-hit Cavaliers haven’t played since Friday. The last time out, they were outscored 21-10 in the final six minutes in a demoralizing 136-125 loss to the Chicago Bulls, with renewed boos ringing out around Rocket Arena. Unfortunately, it’s a tune they’re used to.
Six-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging a career-high 30.7 points and 105 league-high 3-pointers, was absent due to an illness. He should come back tonight. However, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley is out until January with a strained left calf.
“We lose too many of those sprint battles, and it’s the zero-second reactions that cause it,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Even after a turnover, it’s like these teams just go. As soon as the ball is loose, they’re gone.”
And against a Charlotte team that likes to run in the open floor, they’re going to need that hustle and energy. If the rumors about Gilbert’s hands-on approach are true, the question remains: which Cavs side will fans see tonight?
The pressure is increasing, not only on the players, but also on coach Atkinson. Firing him may be premature. There is still a long way to go, and the Cavs can certainly solve this problem. They have the talent to do that, with the luxury of boasting the NBA’s highest payroll.
But they need to get results – and quickly.
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