Cavaliers starting to show cracks
Towns scores 34 as T-Wolves snap Portland’s winning streak
CLEVELAND — The on-court issues have been obvious for weeks. The Cavaliers’ problems now extend to their locker room.
The champions are showing cracks — and weakness.
Instead of celebrating a 135-130 double-overtime win over an Indiana team fighting for a playoff spot on Sunday, the Cavs were in damage control.
LeBron James apologized to Tristan Thompson, who was still fuming after a screaming match during a timeout with his world-famous teammate. Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith both made quick exits before speaking with reporters, and coach Tyronn Lue did everything he could to re-direct pointed fingers at him. “My fault,” Lue said. “Blame it on me.” Unless the Cavs get it together in the next few weeks, Lue may have to accept greater culpability. Cleveland’s postseason run could be shorter than anyone expected.
As James iced his ankles and knees after battling Paul George for 52 draining minutes before putting away the Pacers, Thompson was having trouble cooling off. The hard-working power forward briefly spoke with a team media relations member and general manager David Griffin before addressing a small group of reporters while James was speaking to the larger media group surrounding him in his corner locker. Thompson’s answers were curt, programmed. “We’re family,” he said. “Move forward.” Truth be told, the Cavs’ defense has been a major issue all season. They struggle to stop simple pick and rolls; they lack a rim-protecting big man (a role Andrew Bogut was going to fill before breaking his leg); they have been disjointed for months because of injuries, relying on 3-pointers to overcome defensive deficiencies.
Another glaring deficiency in Sunday’s win was the Cavs’ inability to execute inbounds plays in crucial situations. Twice, Kevin Love attempted to pass to James and both times George was able to get deflections.
James blamed the poor execution on a lack of practice. The Cavs played 12 road games in March, making it difficult for Lue to schedule workouts while making rest for his players a priority.
“We haven’t practiced anything, especially lategame situations,” James said. “I can’t remember the last time we had a late-game situation.”
James, who is trying to reach the NBA Finals for the seventh straight time, has seen it all during nearly 14 pro seasons. He’s had disagreements with teammates before, which is why he did all he could to diffuse tension afterward. “I apologized,” he said. “It’s cool.” James knows this isn’t the time for a family feud. The Cavs need to be united before setting off what promises to be a much tougher road through the East, where teams like the Celtics, Washington Wizards and even the Chicago Bulls, who went 4-0 against the Cavs this season, don’t fear James and Co.
Right now, with six games left in the regular season, the Cavs need to worry about themselves.
Monday’s game
TIMBERWOLVES 110, TRAIL BLAZERS 109: In Minneapolis, Karl-Anthony Towns had 34 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota snapped Portland’s six-game winning streak.
Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points and Ricky Rubio had 11 points, 16 assists and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Damian Lillard scored 25 points for Portland. He made just 7 of 21 shots, including 3 of 11 3-pointers, and his potential game-winning pull-up jumper at the buzzer glanced off the rim.