3 keys to success for Cavs in their #7-8 play in-game versus Nets

#3: Keeping things at a controlled pace, and staying the course mentally

Last but not least, the third key for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the Cavaliers in Tuesday’s play-in game at the Nets is them keeping things at a more controlled pace. That’s generally in this type of game how the Cavs want to play this out, and while they won’t have Allen here, and they’ll need to get some easy looks in transition, I personally think it’d again behoove the Cavs to have this one at a slower pace.

That’s typically the Cavaliers’ style anyhow, but if the Nets are able to get out and run a bunch, they’ll be even tougher to defend, and the Cavaliers could have trouble staying within striking distance over the course of four quarters. Cleveland, for reference, has been 25th in pace this season, whereas Brooklyn has been 11th.

Now, I’m not suggesting that Cleveland shouldn’t look to take advantage in odd-man situations, however, by and large, the Cavs don’t want to overextend themselves here too much, given how quickly the Nets can go on runs with their offensive abilities. That’s even without Ben Simmons yet, and it still being uncertain if he’ll play in the postseason currently.

Transition defense and ensuring Cleveland is preventing easy looks in the open floor is another point of emphasis heading into this one.

And while it’s more so an overall aspect, the Cavs mentally just have to stay the course here on Tuesday night.

They have to roll with the punches, if you will, as it will again be a game of runs. But at the same time, they have to play throughout the game with urgency, and can’t let things spiral, so they don’t have to rely on a sizeable comeback.

If that were to be the case, it’d be difficult to not be fatigued come the fourth quarter, where the Nets closers could put the Cavs away.

We’ll have to see what plays out on Tuesday, beginning at 7 PM EST (on TNT) and though I’d probably expect Brooklyn to come out with a win, Cleveland is definitely capable of landing a W here, after which they’d face the #2 seed Boston Celtics in Game 1 on Sunday. If they don’t, the Cavs still have an opportunity on Friday at home to get the #8 seed in the East and play the Miami Heat beginning on Sunday if they defeat the winner of Wednesday’s 9-10 game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.