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

Losing 4-1, the Cleveland Cavaliers season has come to a heartbreaking end at the hands of Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. In Game 5, the Cavs fell 106-95 on their own home court.

This did not happen due to unforeseen circumstances or injury. In fact, it was the New York Knicks who won in the face of injuries after Julius Randle left the game right before halftime. In those two quarters without their second star, the Knicks managed to gain a lead as high as 18 surrounded by a hostile crowd.

Nothing in this loss can be pinned on any specific individual, so where did the Cavaliers go wrong? These are the four key takeaways from the Cavaliers’ final contest.

Takeaway No. 1: Rebounds matter

If somebody told you that Mitchell Robinson managed to grab more offensive rebounds than either of Cleveland’s big men grabbed in total rebounds, you would be waiting for the coming punch line. Sadly, the only punch in that statement is one that hits you in your metaphorical gut.

When Jarrett Allen was on the court, he guarded Mitchell Robinson. For the most part, he kept Robinson from scoring, but he wasn’t succeeding at keeping Robinson off the glass. It was not until the second quarter that Allen grabbed his first rebound, giving New York an early advantage on the boards that never dissipated. In total, Allen had four rebounds, only one in the entire second half. This limited rebounded production was a continued theme from the two previous games, too.

These kinds of lapses cannot happen or be accepted. Jarrett Allen has been a bright spot for the Cavs throughout the season, but his lackluster effort or willingness to get physical with the Knicks led to exhausting possessions in which the Knicks got chance after chance to score.

Evan Mobley ended the game with nine rebounds. He showed inconsistent effort, lacking the intensity needed from a player of Mobley’s potential. Mobley had little hustle tonight, seemingly not entirely grasping the stakes of the game. An early offseason after such a stellar season will hopefully push Mobley to the next level of mental intensity.

The Cavaliers bigs will need to spend plenty of time with Cleveland’s coaching staff to take these failures and learn from them. They are young, talented players, but this team has higher aspirations than first round exits. For that to be realized, the Frohio duo will be a crucial factor.

Rebounding matters. Every game of this series, the team that grabbed more rebounds won the game.

Takeaway No. 2: Stagnant offense

With a young roster, it is expected that a primary driving force is constant movement both on and off the ball; yet, the Cavaliers ranked dead last in the regular season in pace. The Cavaliers became mechanical on the offensive end, giving the Knicks the chance to break down their chances and force bad passes and panicked shots.

Whether Cleveland ran isolation play after isolation play or simply rushed a contested shot attempt, it was clear that the Cavs coaching staff did not diversify their approach going into the postseason. With two star guards at the helm and a rising star in Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have no excuse to play hero ball the majority of the game.

In Game 5, the Cavaliers began to mount a late comeback thanks to ball movement and making the extra pass. Shots were falling, New York was racing to keep up.

This momentum did not last, though, as the Cavaliers returned to their predictable offensive schemes and let the Knicks rebuild their double digit advantage. Cleveland’s flashes of energy were possibly the most devastating element of the game, as at their best it was plainly obvious that the Cavaliers were capable of being the better team. They were able to win each game, especially this one.

Lackluster offensive plans fall onto coaching, and it will be necessary next season that these energetic, dynamic attacks become commonplace for the Cleveland Cavaliers. J.B. Bickerstaff’s leadership was tested by Tom Thibodeau, and this time he fell short. Just like Allen and Mobley, these lingering weaknesses must be addressed.

Takeaway No. 3: Garland and Mitchell must take over

Adding to the last takeaway, energetic basketball is initiated by the on-court leaders as well. For the Cavaliers, those leaders are Darius Garland and All-Star Starter Donovan Mitchell. In Game 5 as well as other games in this series, both players seemed to disappear for the majority of the game. The Cavaliers had no identity on the court, something that was provided by the star-studded backcourt all year until now.

In the first half, Garland and Mitchell combined for 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting. When both team leaders cannot bring the aggression and passion, it will be next to impossible to be the team you should be.

As an established postseason performer, Donovan Mitchell will adjust his game and recognize his flaws. He will need to lead by example in Cleveland’s next playoff appearance, taking on the challenge and showcasing his best.

Darius Garland has been known for his passing, breaking down defenses with clever ball handling and timely dimes. In Game 5, he totaled four assists and six turnovers. His lack of confidence throughout the game served no favors to Cleveland. At only 23 years old, Garland is sure to grow past this failure and continue to surprise the world next year, but his poor performance surely added to Cleveland’s struggles.

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.