In a recent game against the New York Knicks, Cleveland
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff found it challenging to game-plan for Josh
Hart, a versatile role player who consistently impacts winning. Hart
contributes in multiple ways each game, making it difficult for opposing teams
to keep him off the stat sheet. Even when teams try to neutralize his impact,
he manages to contribute positively by taking charges or making shots. For the
Cavaliers to be successful, they need to understand where Hart hurts them the
most and adjust their approach accordingly.
Despite their efforts to keep Hart off the stat sheet, he
finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals
in 39 minutes, and his fingerprints were all over Donovan Mitchell’s 5-for-18
showing. Hart’s impressive performance drew praise from both coaches. Although
Hart was acquired by the Knicks in February in a trade with Portland, he has
been a valuable asset for them and has contributed to their current 3-1 lead in
the series.
Cleveland’s offensive struggles have been evident in their
losses, with an offensive rating of 102.1, 84.0, and 103.3 points per 100
possessions. The team needs to focus on ball movement and getting to the second
side to increase their efficiency. While Darius Garland has been performing
well, Mitchell needs to improve his offensive game by making quicker decisions
and moving the ball more effectively. Unfortunately, Cleveland’s limited
spacing is not conducive to ideal offensive play.
Hart played a vital role in limiting Mitchell, and he
credits the team’s defensive effort to a full team collaboration. Cleveland
needs to focus on denying driving lanes to limit Mitchell’s scoring
opportunities. They also need to be wary of Brunson, who finished with 29 points
on 11-for-22 shooting. The Knicks’ cohesive lineup has allowed them to play
winning basketball, with Hart and RJ Barrett serving as attacking close-outs.
Cleveland has an impressive backcourt and young All-Defense
types upfront, but the question of who would start and close on the wing in the
playoffs remains. Bickerstaff has been experimenting with lineups, removing
Isaac Okoro from the starting lineup and inserting Caris LeVert in his place.
Okoro still played 17 minutes in the game due to his defensive prowess against
Brunson. He had some successful drives to the basket and even made a sweeping
hook over Obi Toppin. Overall, Cleveland needs to work on their offensive
efficiency and defensive coverage to turn the series around.
