Cavaliers: Trying to figure out how best to prepare for playoffs now top priority

Meetings are currently taking place among the Cavaliers' front office, coaching staff, performance team, training staff and select players. After the Cavs wrapped up the coveted No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday with a lopsided win over the Chicago Bulls to improve to 63-16, they must decide on a course of action in the final three regular-season games. The dilemma is trying to find a happy medium between resting players vs. maintaining their rhythm. The wrap-up to the season starts tonight in Indiana, a possible semifinal playoff opponent. The Cavs also play at New York on Friday in a rugged back-to-back and then host the Pacers on Sunday in the regular-season finale. They'll host the play-in winner on what is expected to be Sunday, April 20, in Game 1 of the first-round series. The biggest question they're facing right now, however, is what to do with shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who missed the Bulls game with a sprained left ankle. If Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson has his way, he said he'd vote to have Mitchell rest in the final three games and "err on the side of caution." However, several members of the organization will be consulted on the matter, including Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman, general manager Mike Gansey and Mitchell, among others. "We have to figure it out," Atkinson said. "We have to be concerned about ourselves and what will prepare us best (for) the playoffs. There are various options on the table. It's a collaborative thing. The players are a part of this (decision). I do want to make sure the guys who are nicked up (get some rest). We'll have to think hard about what we're going to do." Cleveland will have a week off after the Pacers game Sunday on Fan Appreciation Night. It will play one of four teams in the first round: Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago or Miami. None of them will be a pushover. A seven-game layoff isn't necessarily ideal when thinking about players' rhythm. "It's tricky," Atkinson said. However, the coach said there's no concern the players will get out of condition during the layoff. "It takes two weeks to decondition for professional athletes," Atkinson said. "I'm not worried about that. It's more (about) rhythm. "We have seven days to prepare. We can do intrasquad scrimmages." Cavs guard Ty Jerome said the thought of possibly resting some key players "is above my pay grade." However, in his case, he knows what he wants to do. "If I'm healthy, I like to play games," he said. "I enjoy playing basketball." Jerome, a candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, said teams have to be productive during the week off. "You want to use that week to get your body right, get some lifting in and get in some practices we haven't been able to have," he said. "Every team has to deal with that week off. Once the ball goes up, though, there are no excuses. You have to find a way to win." Cavs center Jarrett Allen said "it's a delicate balance" between resting and playing in the final three games. "You want to make sure everyone is in top shape for the playoffs," he said. "At the same time, you don't want people to lose their conditioning and first step." Allen, who hasn't missed a game this season, plans on playing in the three games. "I made it this far," he said. "I want to finish it out." Allen plans on taking a day or two off once the regular season ends. "(I want to) relax my mind and go out and enjoy the city or do whatever," he said. "When the time comes to have practice again, do a hard focus, get ready for the playoffs and put all my energy into it." Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.