The Cleveland Cavaliers let a nine-point fourth-quarter lead slip in a 122-119 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena, and head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to execution under pressure as the difference.
“I think their pressure,” Atkinson said when asked about the late-game struggles. “We had a couple times where we didn’t get it over half court. Just pressure overall.”
Cleveland led by nine with 2:44 left in regulation but was outscored 16-7 to close the period, including a sequence in which Daniss Jenkins drew three free throws with 4.7 seconds remaining.
“We should have fouled earlier,” Atkinson said. “The foul that they called, we waited till they got into the scoring area. You got to 6.3 I think it was. You got to get them earlier so they can’t — they’ll still try it — but I think you have more of a chance. So that was that was on us.”
Atkinson confirmed the intent on the final defensive possession.
“No 100%,” he said when asked if Jaylon Tyson was instructed to foul. “We wanted to foul earlier. I think there was a screen he had to navigate. They had a step up. So I think he was navigating the screen and then the player got downhill, got into the scoring area. I would have loved if, as soon as he caught it, if we could have nailed him there.”
The coach called it “great learning film” and “a great learning experience for a young player,” while noting the presence of the screen.
Despite the loss, Atkinson highlighted Evan Mobley’s 23-point, 12-rebound effort, which included four made 3-pointers.
“Much better. Much better,” he said. “He’s starting to catch a groove. I can see it. I told him this morning at shootaround, I feel like just more energetic. He’s got more confidence. Just seems like when he comes back from injury, it always takes him a little bit to get going. So that’s might be the most positive thing about this game tonight.”
Jarrett Allen added 25 points and nine rebounds while battling Jalen Duren inside.
“Much more forceful. Playing with more force,” Atkinson said. “Jalen Duren’s one of the toughest, strongest guys in the league. Went toe-to-toe with him. I just love it. We just got to keep him there.”
Cleveland was without James Harden and Donovan Mitchell for a second straight game, yet had a chance to win late.
“I told no moral victories,” Atkinson said. “This is a big game. We had chances. The execution, turnovers, just kind of kicking ourselves a little bit. Beat yourselves when you don’t get a shot at the rim.”
The Cavaliers committed 17 turnovers and were outrebounded 56-41, allowing 21 offensive boards.
“If we’re going to play them, we got to figure out how to rebound the ball,” Atkinson said. “You’re giving them second chance, second chance, second chance. It puts a lot of pressure on your defense.”
He also questioned several late calls.
“I thought the Jarrett Allen block was clean. Unfortunately, we didn’t have our challenge,” Atkinson said. “Sam felt like he got fouled on that three. Jay said it was clean, looked clean to me. Those are two big calls.”
As for the 18-minute third-quarter delay caused by a malfunctioning horn, Atkinson dismissed its impact.
“It was fine. We all had to deal with it,” he said. “It became almost like a joke. We’re all laughing. Stuff happens.”
Now 37-24 and fourth in the East, Cleveland will look to apply the lessons quickly.
“Definitely tactically,” Atkinson said of potential playoff implications. “We’re getting a lot of good information from this game.”
