Cleveland Cavaliers: Team needs to focus on these 3 things next season

#2: The Cavs need to improve at closing out games late

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Wine and Gold’s ability to close out games late and win. This is an area that has actually improved as the season has moved along, on a positive note, though.

Through February the Cavaliers only had one game that they led going into the fourth quarter and that was the game at the Phoenix Suns that they eventually lost 119-113. Albeit that was without Chris Paul in action in that one.

Since March though Cleveland has had fourth quarter leads in five games that they eventually lost. The Washington Wizards loss the other night 119-110, when the Cavs got outscored by 15 points in the last quarter, only reminded loyal Cavs fans that we are close, but not that close to a team that can win consistently.

I think the Cavs players are trying but are trying too hard to not make a mistake and lose. Rather, they should start trying to build on the leads and squash any attempt by the opponent to get back into the game. It’s called experience, and the Cavs are still working on that.

Granted, injury issues throughout the season haven’t exactly helped, but either way, this is a clear point of emphasis looking onward.