Cavs close preseason at home, looking for rhythm and a few answers

The Cavaliers wrap up their preseason Tuesday night at home against J.B. Bickerstaff and the Pistons, and while the record doesn’t matter, the opportunity does.

Cleveland has dropped all three exhibition games so far, and is now 2-13 in the preseason over the last few years. But let’s be honest, the record is 100 percent beside the point.

Coach Kenny Atkinson has used the tune-ups to get extended looks at his younger players, resting his regular starters Sunday in Boston. The result was predictable (a lopsided loss), but the minutes for Cleveland’s bench and fringe rotation guys may prove valuable once the real thing begins next week.

Among the players still trying to carve out a role are Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, and Jaylon Tyson.

Porter, entering his third year with the franchise, remains a steady presence but has struggled to find consistent minutes behind Darius Garland and eventually, Lonzo Ball. Still, Porter has shown flashes — including five 3-pointers in the opener against Chicago — that keep him in the mix.

Proctor and Tyson, both newcomers, could use strong finishes to camp. Proctor has impressed with his poise and creativity off the dribble, but Tuesday may be one of his final chances to play heavy minutes before the rotation tightens.

Tyson, meanwhile, has had a quiet preseason offensively, though the Cavs remain high on his two-way potential.

Along with that, big man Thomas Bryant has provided reliable energy off the bench, finishing with 11 points in 17 minutes against the Celtics. Killian Hayes, trying to secure a spot in the guard rotation, added 10 points and two steals.

The Cavs don’t need perfection against Detroit — just progress. The goal Tuesday isn’t necessarily to win the preseason finale, but to get ready for when the games finally start to count.

And frankly, that time can’t get here soon enough.