Cavaliers have chance to refresh after shaky start

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the league's most underperforming teams. Their 14-11 start has left the team on edge. "It's like being down 2-1 in a playoff series," Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "It doesn't feel good." The team is in the midst of a five-day stretch of no games. The Cavs will be back in action Friday in Washington. "(The time off has) given the coaches some time to deep dive and get better," Atkinson said. "We had a great film session. We had a real, legit practice. We've had multiple days to focus on our defense. "How are we going to respond? It's an important stretch to see how we react to our struggles." When they get back on the court Friday, center Jarrett Allen will likely be in the starting lineup. He's missed eight of the last nine games with a strained right middle finger. Atkinson said Allen was a "full participant" in practice Tuesday and said he looked good. The Cavs need his defense, rebounding and size around the basket. Unfortunately, shooting guard Sam Merill remains out of the lineup with a sprained right hand. "He's frustrated," Atkinson said. "We're frustrated. It's just a slow healing process. It hasn't gotten worse. The swelling is decreasing. The fact is he's still not able to shoot or catch. We're focusing on conditioning. He's frustrated this thing is not healing quicker." Merrill, whose 3-point shooting and on-the-ball defense have been sorely missed, has been sidelined for the last 10 games. Last year during their 64-win season, the Cavs grabbed the No. 1 seed in the first game and never let go of it. They are currently seventh in the competitive Eastern Conference race. "We are a very competitive team," Atkinson said. "Right now, we have slippage. This stretch (of games) is important for us. We need to reexamine what our identity is." The Cavs also hosted a player-led meeting and had a long film session. Their lack of intensity, energy and competition level were the main topics. The players said it had a training-camp vibe. "It's really our energy, whether we're making shots or not," Cavs forward De'Andre Hunter said. "(Atkinson) called us out. He broke down exactly what we needed to do. We're not happy where we are. We have to take accountability for our own actions. It's hard to deny it." Their poor defensive rebounding was also addressed. "It's something we've had issues with all season," Hunter said. "We have a chance to right that." The Cavs used the Indiana Pacers as an example of what can happen in an 82-game season. They were barely over .500 at the quarter point in last season before catching fire and advancing to the NBA Finals. "It's important to have that historical perspective so you don't panic or overreact," Atkinson said. "With this reset, we're emphasizing our principles, getting back to our identity." Cavs backup center Thomas Bryant, a member of last year's Pacers team, said he sees similarities in the two teams. He said Cleveland must buckle down on their defensive concepts to get where they want to go. "We know the offense will flow," he said. "The defense is something that will keep us in the games. We have to get our enthusiasm back. It's a long season. It's a grueling season. We have to figure things out on the fly." Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.