Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to execution, defensive adjustments, and late-game variance after a narrow 112-110 overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.
“Sometimes it’s make or miss,” Atkinson said postgame when asked about Cleveland’s overtime struggles. “I like a lot of things we did. We got some really good looks.”
The Cavaliers had multiple chances late but could not convert in key moments, extending a series where the home team has now won all six games.
Atkinson emphasized Cleveland’s rebounding effort as a positive takeaway. “I thought we rebounded like we asked them to rebound,” he said. “We got some really good looks.”
Toronto’s late-game shot also added to the chaotic finish, with RJ Barrett’s decisive basket coming off a high bounce before dropping in. Atkinson reflected on the moment directly.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Sometimes the basketball gods aren’t with you.”
Despite the defeat, Atkinson quickly redirected the focus to Game 7 on Sunday in Cleveland. “We got to recover and get ready for Sunday’s game,” he said. “This is the playoffs. This is what it’s about.”
Cleveland nearly stole the game late in regulation and overtime, but turnovers and missed opportunities defined the closing stretch. Atkinson addressed the late turnover sequence with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
“Not really,” he said when asked about considering a timeout. “I thought with Dennis’s speed we run that all the time. Get it over half court. He made an advanced pass. Kid made a heck of a play on the ball.”
The Cavaliers ran sets designed to free Donovan Mitchell off screens and also involved Evan Mobley in pop-out actions late. Atkinson said the final possession was structured but defended well.
“We’re looking for Donovan coming off a curl screen,” he said. “Then Evan on the pop. Not a great look, decent look from Evan.”
Mobley finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Mitchell added 24 points in the loss. James Harden contributed 16 points but also committed four turnovers in a high-pressure environment.
Atkinson credited Toronto’s defensive approach, especially their late-game pressure. “They have a really good defensive team,” he said. “They got big, long defenders, making it hard on him and making it hard on Donovan.”
He also pointed to Cleveland’s adjustments after halftime, including more aggressive coverage on Scottie Barnes. “We showed a better crowd on him, faked at him, made it harder,” Atkinson said. “He was too comfortable in the first half.”
The Cavaliers coach noted that Game 6 ultimately came down to execution under pressure. “We did a lot of good things,” he said. “One of them goes in, you get the W.”
With Game 7 now set in Cleveland, Atkinson’s message remained consistent and direct. “We showed resiliency,” he said. “We got to go and get Game 7.”
The series returns to Rocket Arena on Sunday, with both teams tied 3-3 and everything now decided in a winner-take-all finish.
