Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to execution, defensive changes, and late-game variance after a slim 112-110 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 at Scotiabank Enviornment on Friday evening.
“Generally it’s make or miss,” Atkinson mentioned postgame when requested about Cleveland’s extra time struggles. “I like quite a lot of issues we did. We obtained some actually beauty.”
The Cavaliers had a number of possibilities late however couldn’t convert in key moments, extending a sequence the place the house crew has now received all six video games.
Atkinson emphasised Cleveland’s rebounding effort as a constructive takeaway. “I believed we rebounded like we requested them to rebound,” he mentioned. “We obtained some actually beauty.”
Toronto’s late-game shot additionally added to the chaotic end, with RJ Barrett’s decisive basket coming off a excessive bounce earlier than dropping in. Atkinson mirrored on the second instantly.
“I don’t know,” he mentioned. “Generally the basketball gods aren’t with you.”
Regardless of the defeat, Atkinson shortly redirected the main target to Recreation 7 on Sunday in Cleveland. “We obtained to get well and prepare for Sunday’s sport,” he mentioned. “That is the playoffs. That is what it’s about.”
Cleveland almost stole the sport late in regulation and extra time, however turnovers and missed alternatives outlined the closing stretch. Atkinson addressed the late turnover sequence with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
“Not likely,” he mentioned when requested about contemplating a timeout. “I believed with Dennis’s pace we run that on a regular basis. Get it over half court docket. He made a complicated move. Child made a heck of a play on the ball.”
The Cavaliers ran units designed to free Donovan Mitchell off screens and in addition concerned Evan Mobley in pop-out actions late. Atkinson mentioned the ultimate possession was structured however defended properly.
“We’re searching for Donovan coming off a curl display screen,” he mentioned. “Then Evan on the pop. Not an excellent look, first rate look from Evan.”
Mobley completed with 26 factors and 14 rebounds, whereas Mitchell added 24 factors within the loss. James Harden contributed 16 factors but in addition dedicated 4 turnovers in a high-pressure atmosphere.
Atkinson credited Toronto’s defensive method, particularly their late-game strain. “They’ve a very good defensive crew,” he mentioned. “They obtained large, lengthy defenders, making it laborious on him and making it laborious on Donovan.”
He additionally pointed to Cleveland’s changes after halftime, together with extra aggressive protection on Scottie Barnes. “We confirmed a greater crowd on him, faked at him, made it tougher,” Atkinson mentioned. “He was too snug within the first half.”
The Cavaliers coach famous that Recreation 6 finally got here right down to execution underneath strain. “We did quite a lot of good issues,” he mentioned. “Considered one of them goes in, you get the W.”
With Recreation 7 now set in Cleveland, Atkinson’s message remained constant and direct. “We confirmed resiliency,” he mentioned. “We obtained to go and get Recreation 7.”
The sequence returns to Rocket Enviornment on Sunday, with each groups tied 3-3 and every little thing now determined in a winner-take-all end.
