The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a roll with a three-game winning streak, but let's not get too carried away just yet. Taking down the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Pelicans is nice, but it's not exactly headline-grabbing. Especially when you consider the recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, which was a tough pill to swallow.
Kenny Atkinson's squad might have hit their stride a bit early this season. Over their last four games, they've allowed 130, 116, 110, and 106 points, with their victories coming by slim margins of seven, five, and five points. Their defensive rating sits at 114.3, placing them 13th in the league, and teams outside the top 10 rarely make deep playoff runs.
There's still plenty of time for the Cavs to turn things around. They've shown flashes of brilliance post-trade deadline, but a bit of introspection might be in order.
Cavaliers Need to Stay Focused
The Cavaliers can usually count on James Harden and Donovan Mitchell to deliver. Evan Mobley is also consistent, contributing 17 points, eight rebounds, and a couple of blocks per game. While he may not have taken a huge leap forward, his solid play makes him a reliable third option on a contending team.
But beyond that, things get a bit shaky.
Dennis Schroder, after a strong start with the Cavs, has hit a rough patch. He's failed to score in double digits for eight straight games, shooting just 32.6 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from three-point range. The initial spark he provided seems to have fizzled out, turning him from a key contributor to a concern.
The absence of Jarrett Allen, sidelined with a knee injury for three weeks now, has also been felt. Despite a 5-3 record in his absence, his impact on defense and rebounding is sorely missed. With no clear timeline for his return, missing him in the playoffs could be a significant blow.
With 11 regular-season games left, the Cavs hold a comfortable four-game lead over the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors. However, they can't afford to coast into the postseason. Atkinson needs to steer this team back on track, ensuring they're peaking when it counts the most.