CLEVELAND — The Cavs were the NBA’s second-best 3-point shooting team in the regular season, and in an elimination game they shot 26 percent from deep. Evan Mobley was strong, with 24 points and 11 rebounds, but Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen were vulnerabilities in this series.
The Cavs banished Ty Jerome to the end of the bench for Game 5, but with the adjustment of Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade beginning to wear down, Kenny Atkinson went back to Jerome in the second half and he at least scored 8 points. But even with a better offensive night for Jerome, he was still beaten off the dribble too many times and couldn’t stay on the court for that last, furious push.
Sam Merrill missed this game with a neck strain. Garland missed two games with a toe sprain and Mobley and Hunter each missed a game. Atkinson said he didn’t want to blame injuries for this series. It’s noble to say so. But either the injuries, or the Cavs’ inability to play through them, had a huge impact.
So did Indiana’s relentless pressure and pace.
Mitchell tried to extend this series with a gutsy performance, and now he has a whole summer to rest.
