4 key takeaways from Cavaliers Game 5, series-ending L to Knicks

Takeaway No. 4: A true lack of depth

It was never up for debate whether the Cavaliers need more bench depth. This game was no different, as the Cleveland bench scored 19 points to New York’s 32. When your starters struggle, bench production can bring a team back into the fold. The Cavs could not manage to find any spark, even with Isaac Okoro’s strong performance.

Cleveland’s bench could not keep up with the Knicks’ seemingly unending rotation of talented defenders and scorers. Immanuel Quickley, New York’s backup guard, earned a spot as a finalist in this year’s Sixth Man of the Year race. Additionally, Obi Toppin gave the Knicks valuable minutes off the bench, hitting shots and playing extra minutes when Julius Randle had to exit the game early with an ankle injury.

On the other end, Bickerstaff desperately searched for a spark plug off the bench. Okoro played well against Brunson and made some early three-pointers, but there was not enough firepower from the rest of the Cavs’ reserves to compete with New York. Not every non-starter needs to be the next 6MOY. Each of them will have poor games, whether or not it is the playoffs. That is expected from starters and non-starters.

The bench could not move the needle enough to solve the other key issues Cleveland faced. This limitation was apparent all season and was a clear weakness going into the first round. In Game 5, it became the final nail in the Cavaliers’ coffin.

Much of the problems Cleveland faced are manageable. It was said all series, and it will be said again. The Cavaliers lost to themselves. They are a better team than what was displayed in Game 5, but that will need to be proven going forward.

Nothing is earned in the NBA, and this young Cavaliers roster learned that. The question is how they will respond and develop now.