Cavs top Bucks, but Kenny Atkinson sees ‘clunky’ everywhere

Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 118-106 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. 

1. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson will tell you this one won’t be inducted into the Cavs Hall of Fame. But he will also tell you this is the NBA and a win is a win is a win.

2. I actually thought the Cavs were a lot better here than what we’ve seen lately. They seemed to be in attack mode a little more. They seemed to figure out some things without Darius Garland. I don’t know if I’d say that about too many others.

3. And while Donovan Mitchell erupted for 37 points and was as dynamic as ever, this didn’t feel as much like it had to be All Don, All The Time.

4. But I’m not the coach, and for that, we can all be incredibly grateful. 

5. So here is what the man on the sideline had to say, and it’s pretty obvious he was less impressed than I was: “I’m glad we pulled it out. It’s not smooth sailing right now. We’re still a little but clunky, on both sides of the ball.”

6. The Cavs (10-5) were also the beneficiaries of the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo exiting at halftime with a left groin strain. At the time, the Cavs’ lead was just 59-57. The Bucks (8-7) hung tough for a little bit — but without their superstar, well, you can guess what followed.

7. Mitchell finished 14-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers. He got to the basket and finished at will. He added a team-high seven assists.

8. Meanwhile, Sam Merrill scored 20 points, many of which came after he seemed to hurt his finger on Antetokounmpo’s leg in the first quarter. Atkinson wasn’t sure Merrill would be able to keep playing. But it sure didn’t seem to impact Merrill much (6-of-9 on threes).

9. Overall, though, Atkinson indicated there’s still a ways to go. “I think our talent level is still such that we can eek out wins,” he said. “But we have to be better collectively.”

10. And what’s the problem? “There’s some focus things out there,” Atkinson said. “We’ll look at it, analyze it. My job is to help smooth this thing out.”

11. While the Cavs aren’t into making excuses, I do think it’s hard to judge a team without its All-Star point guard (Garland) and a guy who started all last season (Max Strus). Garland’s absence is highly likely THE reason the offense can seem out of sorts.

12. Evan Mobley was again just OK — but still managed 14 points and six rebounds. Jarrett Allen added 12 points and also six boards. De’Andre Hunter and Craig Porter Jr. each scored 11, Porter doing so on 5-of-6 shooting. One of those buckets came via a monster slam.

13. Atkinson on Porter: “He’s got so much pop out there. The basketball player was already good, but he made a commitment to getting in elite shape. … I’m so happy for the kid, he made a lot of sacrifices this offseason. Good to see it’s paying off.”

14. Toledo product and Bucks guard Ryan Rollins continued his breakout season with 24 points. Myles Turner added 15.

16. As for the Cavs, no, Atkinson wasn’t terribly impressed. “The good news is we’re 10-5 and not 5-10,” he said. “We’re still learning through it. It’s been a slog and we have to get it figured out. … We’ve gotta raise our standards.”

17. There will be no rest, as Kevin Durant and the rising Rockets come to town on Wednesday. “I don’t want to seem like doomsday here,” Atkinson said. “But we know we can play better.”