3 things the Cleveland Cavaliers will have to do to win Game 2
By Chad Porto
Pass the Ball to Find Your Shot
The Cavs ran way too many pick-and-rolls and iso’s, especially for Donovan Mitchell. Sure, it was the only way they could score in the second half but that’s also part in parcel of the problem. When you strip your offense to just the bare minimum, as the Cavs did on Saturday night, then you become very predictable.
Now, Mitchell did his job, no doubt. The Cavs called upon him and he delivered, but the team needed to get Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen involved more often in the game, especially as Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley struggled.
That was the thing that the Knicks did better than the Cavs without a doubt. They allowed themselves time to find an open shot. They didn’t just run high pick and rolls with Allen hoping that something different would happen.
Yes, Cedi Osman isn’t Kyle Korver or Steph Curry, but he can shoot. So can Danny Green. The two need to be more involved in the execution of the offense if the Cavs are going to have any hope of beating the Knicks and their swarming defense.
The offense, which admittedly has been pretty predictable all year due to a lack of offensive-minded talent, has got to be more creative in Game 2.