ATLANTA — The Cavs’ shooting struggles over the past two games have been a sobering reminder of just how vital their defense is to their success.
After riding an offensive hot streak, Cleveland has now dropped two straight to Atlanta and three of their last five, tumbling to 17-3 on the season.
For the first time this year, the Cavs have been forced to reckon with the consequences of their shots not falling — a scenario that has highlighted defensive inconsistencies, particularly against elite opponents like the Boston Celtics.
Despite boasting the league’s 11th-ranked defense and holding opponents under 120 points in 16 of their first 20 games, recent performances have exposed gaps that must be addressed to reach their championship aspirations.
Defensive discipline
In their first matchup against Atlanta, Cleveland’s lack of defensive discipline was glaring, especially in transition.
When shots weren’t falling, players would jog back on defense while the Hawks sprinted behind defenders for easy conversions.
While operating in the half court, the Cavs’ defense has been plagued by a tendency to overhelp and overfoul, issues that vary based on the opponent. When multiple defenders collapse to contain these drives, it often leaves perimeter shooters wide open, creating a difficult trade-off.
The second game of the home-and-road series showed improvement, but the underlying issues remained.
“Much better grit, much better resiliency,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said after Friday’s 117-101 loss. “I thought our defensive engagement was good. And our offense kind of tanked. It’s hard to be mad at our guys. They’ve been phenomenal offensively.”
Perimeter defense
Even with improved effort, the Cavs’ defense still showed cracks in its foundation. Atkinson’s system emphasizes switching and utilizing Cleveland’s premier wing defenders in one-on-one containment, which can be lethal when executed properly. However, those principles demand precision and trust — qualities that the Cavs have not consistently displayed.
For instance, a guard might funnel a ball-handler into the paint, trusting Jarrett Allen to contest at the rim. But instead of recovering to his man, the guard hesitated, creating an open look for a shooter in the corner. Such breakdowns have been a recurring theme, particularly against teams that space the floor with five capable scorers. Boston, with Kristaps Porziņģis returning to their lineup, poses a similar challenge on an even higher level.
The Celtics thrive on exploiting defensive overreactions. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are experts at drawing help defenders, forcing rotations that leave teammates wide open. Against this kind of offense, the Cavs must resist the urge to collapse unnecessarily. Trusting Evan Mobley and Allen — both elite rim protectors — to defend the paint one-on-one is non-negotiable. If this is the option of pursuit they choose, the guards must stay disciplined, recovering quickly to shooters instead of overcommitting to help defense.
Mobley and Allen could enable perimeter defenders to hold their ground in isolation situations, staying with their assignments to avoid unnecessary switches or mismatches.
“Starting this thing out, I felt like, ‘Oh, Atkinson’s coming in, it’s going to go offense,’” Atkinson explained earlier in the season. “I was like, no, this is the defense. We got to keep our defensive identity.”
Communication
Communication is another area of concern. The Cavs’ defensive principles hinge on seamless rotations, but hesitation and miscommunication have led to costly lapses.
While these adjustments may appear fundamental, the Cavs have faced limited practice time and constant schematic tweaks this season. Players are working to internalize Kenny Atkinson’s new principles while resisting the pull of habits formed under former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, whose approach leaned more heavily on defensive structure.
On Friday, there were signs of progress.
Cleveland tightened its switching, forcing tougher shots and limiting transition opportunities. But those adjustments will need to be even sharper against Boston, whose offense punishes even the slightest mistakes. The Celtics’ ability to run five-out sets demands flawless execution from Cleveland’s defenders, particularly on closeouts to shooters like Porziņģis.
A potential X-factor for Sunday’s game is the return of Dean Wade. At 6-foot-9 with quick lateral movement, Wade is one of Cleveland’s most versatile defenders, capable of guarding both Tatum and Brown. However, Wade is coming off an ankle injury, and it’s unclear how much of an impact he’ll be able to make in his first game back.
Looking ahead
While the Cavs’ offensive firepower has garnered much of the attention this season, their defense remains the key to their long-term success. Cleveland’s inability to secure stops in crunch time cost them their first meeting with Boston, a game in which their offense was good enough to win.
Sunday offers a chance for redemption, as the Cavs may have the firepower to compete with the NBA’s elite, but their playoff success could ultimately hinge on their defense.
“We just gotta get more stops when we’re not making shots,” Mobley said. “If you can’t score in this league, it’s going to be tough to win. So we got to rely on our defense.”
Boston presents another opportunity for growth through adversity, not just for Cleveland’s defensive adjustments but for their ability to match up with a team they will likely need to go through in the playoffs.
Atkinson has been vocal about building a team that thrives on both ends of the floor. While the offense has shined, aside from the last two contests, the key to Cleveland’s leap lies in rediscovering the defensive identity that once set them apart.