After winning on the Spurs floor, the Cavaliers took advantage of December 31 to end the Suns’ series, and the frustrated audience at the Rocket Arena could see that the team had regained its defensive foundation from last season. Under the boards, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen locked down access to the circle, but also hampered access wide. In attack, there was alternation and sharing of the ball. Result: Evan Mobley left 2025 with a big smile on his face.
“Honestly, we have fun on the pitch. It’s very different,” he blurted out after the match. “Everyone plays with energy. We play fast, we defend hard and we transform defense into attack. It’s Cavs basketball! »
In the midst of disaster ten days ago, Cleveland is doing better even if the sample of victories is small. But the way is there, and Kenny Atkinson has kept his promise: he plays on merits and he draws from his rotation without taking into account the CV. To start the last quarter, he lined up Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr. and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, to support Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell.
“These are very difficult decisions,” he recognized before the match. “Sometimes you have to take each player aside so they each understand that it’s not personal. Sometimes you finish matches, sometimes you don’t. This is essential for group cohesion. »
What also gives confidence is having been able to respond to the comeback attempts of the Suns, considered by Kenny Atkinson as “the hardest playing team in the entire NBA”. “At the start of the season, in the face of adversity, we collapsed” remembers Evan Mobley. “In the last matches, we continue to play the same way. We start with energy and we keep it, whether it works in our favor or not. We must continue like this. »
The next test is Friday, against the Nuggets, a team stripped of four starters. Beware of overconfidence…
