Cleveland Cavaliers fell 118-116 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum, with head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasizing the team’s defensive challenges and evaluating performance without three key starters.
“I mean I guess just first off… we go in those situations. We got a layup, got a great… got the person we wanted involved in the action. Got a layup, had a chance for an offensive rebound,” Atkinson said about the final play. He noted that calling a timeout was unnecessary because the process executed as planned.
The coach pinpointed defense as the difference in the fourth quarter: “We couldn’t really get stops all game. That was really the story of the game… you got to have a better defensive effort on the road if you’re going to get a win.” Atkinson highlighted that the Bucks converted efficiently at the rim and from three-point range, making defensive stops crucial.
Atkinson broke down the final sequence, adding, “We got a layup. We got the exactly the matchup we wanted. We got a layup and a chance for an offensive rebound… Dennis got downhill, we got Portis in the screen, layup, missed layup, then we had a chance at the offensive rebound. So pleased with that.”
He also addressed the impact of missing James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley: “We have great depth… just disappointed in the way we defended. They got to the rim, 17 of 19, and 19 of 45 from the three. We didn’t do either.” Atkinson stressed the importance of defensive fundamentals even when short-handed.
On Dennis Schroder’s role, the coach noted his readiness: “I’ve always felt in my mind he’s a starting point guard in this league… if that is a situation, we’re covered with Dennis.” Schroder scored 26 points, his highest output in nine games, showing his ability to step up in the absence of primary stars.
Atkinson praised the team’s execution on offensive sets despite the loss: “We got the exactly the matchup we wanted… got a layup and a chance for an offensive rebound. We don’t call timeouts in that situation so they can sub and get the matchups.” He emphasized process and preparation over the outcome of a single possession.
Cleveland now drops to fourth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the New York Knicks, with the team set to face Detroit on Friday.
