Tracking the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defensive play through seven games

Opponents convert 37.9 percent of 3-point attempts against the Cavaliers, who have been in man-to-man coverage most of the time. The league average is 35.5 percent.

Sagging off a shooter on the weak side is an exercise in futility because the player giving space isn’t involved in the action and can get burned by the pass. A wing defender overhelping on a drive is equally as bad. The Cavaliers have to be better at trusting teammates who are guarding the ball.

In Indiana, the unit was torched at the top of the key for 13 trays on 24 tries. Miscommunication, not blowing up the handoff quickly and moving the ball around doomed the Cavs. In the dub versus the Warriors, Donovan Mitchell was beat going for the steal on Klay Thompson, getting torched from 29 feet out. In the loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland gave too much room to the wings and corners to stop dribble penetration.

Other times, like against the Warriors, little can be done. For example, man may not be fast enough to guard Stephen Curry’s give-and-go with Draymond Green at the top of the key. Mobley nearly was, coming up on Curry when turning the screen and contesting cleanly but it wasn’t enough.