Cavs wrap preseason on high note, eye Knicks opener

Coach Kenny Atkinson can finally exhale — and so can his Cavaliers.

Cleveland wrapped up its preseason with a 118-100 home win over the short-handed Pistons, finishing exhibition play at 1-3.

The result itself didn’t mean much, but the effort did. Atkinson treated the finale like a dress rehearsal, tightening his rotation to 11 players and playing most of his starters deep into the fourth quarter.

The goal was rhythm and chemistry before next week’s opener at Madison Square Garden.

Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points in 29 minutes, one of six Cavs in double figures.

Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen each added 15, while De’Andre Hunter chipped in 14 before leaving with a minor knee tweak.

Sam Merrill, seeing his first preseason action, and Jaylon Tyson each finished with 10. Lonzo Ball nearly posted a triple-single — nine points, nine assists and four rebounds off the bench.

Cleveland came out firing, dropping 42 points in the first quarter and hitting seven of its first 10 threes. Detroit clawed back in the second before the Cavs reasserted control late.

It’s only preseason, but this one mattered a little more.

The Cavs finally got their first exhibition win under Atkinson, and now the real thing starts Oct. 22 at Madison Square Garden.

So, yeah, the real thing is almost here.