Saturday, i Cleveland Cavaliers they suffered a heavy defeat for 117-100 give it Houston Rockets, al Toyota Center.
I Rockets they were short of Alperen Sengunbut they still led the match with a lead of well 31 points. They were ahead of the 32-24 at the end of the first quarter, and they reached halftime on 60-46. The Cavaliers weren’t out of the game at that point, but then collapsed in the third quarter, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback. THE Rockets they won, turning the match into a humiliating defeat.
Kenny Atkinson in fact, he harshly reprimanded his team in the post-match press conference.
The coach had been encouraged by what the Cavs they had shown him in the match played against the New York Knicks on the day of Natale. This made what happened on Saturday even more surprising.
“I rarely say this, but I thought the game was over in the first quarter” he said. “I think we had 8 turnovers. Their physicality ruined us, we weren’t ready tonight. I don’t know how else to say it. I was so encouraged after the game against the Knicks, but tonight I don’t know. Call it what you want, maybe Christmas hangover, I have no idea. It’s hard to explain it. It wasn’t the same team that played the other night against the Knicks. Obviously, they outplayed us physically, and I didn’t like our response.”
Much of the frustrations of coach Atkinson were aimed at the big shots, while he praised the young people.
“I must say that I really appreciated the response of our young people” he declared. “Jaylon Tyson, Tyrese Proctor, Thomas Bryant. There I saw the grit. Jaylon was our lighthouse. This is how you have to play. He was ready and after the meeting I highlighted him. I said that’s what we needed.”
But aside from a few glimmers of hope, none of the starters played particularly well. Donovan Mitchell he scored 16 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a stop. Darius Garland he only scored 12 points and a assist. Sam Merrill he even surpassed him by scoring 13 points, While Dean Wade e Jarrett Allen they scored some 6 each. TO coach Atkinson was asked if he would consider benching them, and he replied frankly that he would like to.
“When I think about it, I probably should have replaced them sooner” he said. “Criticize me for this. I could have replaced them and given a chance to the boys who deserve to play.”
