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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 adjustments they must make

By Tony Pesta

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 22: Head coach John-Blair Bickerstaff of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to Andre Drummond #3 during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 125-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 22: Head coach John-Blair Bickerstaff of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to Andre Drummond #3 during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 125-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers’ adjustments: More 3-Pointers

A few weeks ago, Collin Sexton erupted for five straight 3-pointers in an electric overtime performance over the Brooklyn Nets. In the eight games since then, Sexton has hit only six 3-pointers. While this can be explained as a bit of a shooting slump, it’s more a matter of not shooting the ball at all rather than missing shots.

The Cleveland Cavaliers rank dead last in 3-point attempts this season, shooting at the lowest frequency of any team in the last two seasons. They’ve been especially bad in their last three games, combining for only 15 made 3-pointers during this stretch.

For perspective, the LA Clippers drilled 20 3-pointers in their win over the Cavaliers, with Paul George hitting eight himself. The last time someone on the Cavaliers drilled eight 3-pointers in a single game? Kyrie Irving, in April of 2017.

There’s a clear disparity when looking at the Cavaliers and the rest of the league. They are lagging behind a trend that has taken the NBA by storm – and there really isn’t any explanation for it. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s best guess is that opponents are baiting them into attempting mid-range shots (they are) and their guys are falling for the trap due to constant dry-spells on offense. Any look is better than no look, right?

Maybe not. The Houston Rockets certainly took advanced analytics a bit too far last year when they did away with the center position altogether and focused primarily on jacking up 3-pointers every possession. Yet, there was a method to their madness, and the NBA as a whole has realized that shooting 3-pointers at a high-rate is necessary, even if they aren’t always going in.

Thankfully, this is a pretty easy thing to fix. The Cavaliers shoot the fifth-best 3-point percentage in the league. With guys like Garland, Sexton, Dylan Windler, Cedi Osman and eventually, Kevin Love, the team has plenty of snipers that can space the floor. All they need to do is actually shoot the ball, which Bickerstaff has said will be a point of emphasis moving forward.

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