Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team’s balanced attack in Monday’s 139-132 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Atkinson credited Sam Merrill for his impact despite modest stats. “He just knows how to screen, how to play with those guys…He makes a big difference. He gives you gravity, running them off the three, gets in the paint,” he explained.
The Cavaliers’ toughness was on display with De’Andre Hunter, who returned to the court after taking a flagrant foul to the face. “He’s a tough dude…what’s better incentive than that? His arm could be falling off and he probably would have shot it with the other arm,” Atkinson said.
Cleveland’s offensive surge also reflected improved shooting. “It was weird watching that happen…just making one or two of those is such a boost,” Atkinson noted, pointing to the team’s 140-point output as a sign of regained confidence.
Defensively, the coach acknowledged areas for improvement. “They shot the crap out of the ball…we got to get better defensively. Starts with transition speed…offensive rebounding. We’ve just got to clean up defensively,” Atkinson admitted.
The Cavaliers also focused on containing Hornets’ center Moussa Diabate. “It’s a WWE out there…he’s an elite offensive rebounder, probably the best in the league. We got to find a way to keep a guy like that off the boards. Told the guys at halftime, let’s put two on him,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson highlighted the playmaking of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell as pivotal. “They’re not just dribbling and shooting. They’re playmaking for others. That was a big boost for us tonight,” he said, noting how the Cavaliers pulled away in the second half.
Looking ahead, Atkinson hinted at lineup decisions for the next game, including Garland’s availability. “ That’s a good question. He was pushing for it…there’s a real possibility he plays,” he said, reflecting optimism about the team’s health and rotation.
The Cavaliers snapped a three-game skid, with standout performances from Mitchell (30 points), Hunter (27), and Garland (27), setting the stage for their next matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
