3 reasons Cavs have stumbled and lost two straight games

3 reasons Cavs have stumbled: They can’t stop fouling

The LA Clippers took 28 free throws on Monday night, propelled by 21 Cleveland fouls. Evan Mobley fouled out of the game, Donovan Mitchell ended with five, and Isaac Okoro managed to get three fouls in just 18 minutes. Then on Wednesday the Sacramento Kings shot a whopping 35 free throws, with 23 Cavs fouls. All five starters committed at least three fouls in that game.

Both of those FT totals would rank first in the league this season, and from the Cavs’ perspective, giving up 35 FT attempts would rank dead-last in the league (and 28 would rank second only to the floundering Golden State Warriors). When you factor in that the Cavs’ averaged just 20.5 free throw attempts in the two losses, and the disparity at the line was something they could not overcome.

How they fit it: Part of not fouling is strategy, and another part is mental preparation. More than the shooting and early-game defense, the coaching staff can have an effect here motivating this roster to foul less often. That also means managing fatigue among his best players, playing them fewer minutes or giving them rest games in order for them to be at their sharpest when on the court.

The reality is that the Cavs have lost just two games, are still 8-3 and look like a great team. Nitpicking their issues from two games they lost by a total of nine points is a way to shore up small weaknesses, not to suggest there is a gaping hole in the Cavs’ ability.