CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs are putting the finishing touches on what is already a historic season, thanks to the Core Four (Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley) and the strength of their bench.
The bench has six players that head coach Kenny Atkinson trusts and plays regularly: Ty Jerome, De’Andre Hunter, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill and Craig Porter Jr. — All of whom can be counted on to keep games close by playing tough defense and often out scoring the opponent’s bench by large margins.
Atkinson has said he wants to play 10 or 11 guys per game and the competency of the bench has allowed him to play the starters less minutes during the season, keeping them well-rested and healthy.
But with the playoffs just around the corner, will the Cavs continue to play 10, or will the rotation shrink as the competition grows?
Read more:
‘We know who we are’: Why the Cavs are unshaken by past comparisons
Recent cartoons by Ted Crow:
Browns show Myles Garrett the money: Crowquill
Cavs roll into Milwaukee to face Bucks: Crowquill
Crowquill, by artist Ted Crow, appears Wednesdays and Sundays in The Plain Dealer and oncleveland.com.