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Cleveland Cavaliers: 4 reasons why consistent play from role players is needed

By Alec Hartman

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after scoring during the final second of the second half as Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 100-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after scoring during the final second of the second half as Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 18, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 100-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers battles for the ball with Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Indiana won the game 98-80 to take a 1-0 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers battles for the ball with Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Indiana won the game 98-80 to take a 1-0 series lead. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Increased workloads and point guard issues

Love and Nance Jr. have done a valiant job holding down the inside in place of Thompson. However, the problem with that is the workload being placed on Love.

He is being stretched quite a bit as he’s been responsible for rebounding offensively/defensively, defending the bigs down low, and being a large piece of the Cavs’ offensive game plan. Love had a rough shooting game in his last outing but will look to bounce back in Game Six.

All that Love has done is being underappreciated in this series. Considering that large workload with many responsibilities, yes, he may not be doing incredibly well on all of them but he’s doing enough to keep the team in the game.

With the loss of Kyrie Irving, the big three has been cut down to just a duo of James and Love. The expectations have risen for Love this season and he will have something to prove during this playoff run.

Nance Jr. has been a solid presence for the Cavs in this series especially considering it’s only his third year in the league and first playoff appearance. He provides a much quicker and flexible alternative to the interior. His incredible athleticism mixed with decent shooting ability makes him a player with much potential but still a viable option right now.

Speaking of players who have been shipped over from the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Clarkson has had a hand in the proceeds of this series. Though the hand that Clarkson has dealt to the Cavs so far has not been a great one. Clarkson shot under 30% from the field in the first three games as the bench struggled to produce under his lead.

With the Cavs relatively thin at point guard, they are relying on veterans George Hill, Jose Calderon, and fourth year trade Clarkson to handle the distribution. All three has not played particularly well which has been a major problem for the Cavs.

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